ZACH BENSON NEWS

Set to play Thursday Benson (lower body) is expected to be in the lineup versus the Kings on Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Impact Benson was officially a game-time decision, but he took line rushes alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the first line. The 19-year-old Benson will have a big opportunity in that spot Thursday, though it's likely a temporary gig while the Sabres await the return of John-Jason Peterka (concussion).

OCTOBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Considered game-time decision Benson (lower body) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the Kings.

Impact Head coach Lindy Ruff said after Thursday's morning skate that the Sabres will warm up an extra player ahead of the game against the Kings, but he expects Benson to be available for the home opener. Over 71 appearances with Buffalo last year, he recorded 11 goals and 30 points while averaging 14:31 of ice time.

OCTOBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Might play Thursday Benson took part in Thursday's practice and might be available for the evening's game against LA, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.

Impact The Sabres are going to wait to see how Benson responds to the skate before making a determination, so he might end up being a game-time decision. If the 19-year-old is in the lineup, it will likely be as a member of the second line alongside Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn. Jiri Kulich, who logged 14:00 of ice time Saturday, might be a healthy scratch if Benson is available.

OCTOBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Might practice Tuesday Benson (lower body) is expected to practice Tuesday in the lead-up to a clash with the Kings on Thursday, WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Impact Benson looks to be making strides and could still be an option to face Los Angeles. If he does miss that contest, it seems unlikely the 19-year-old winger will be out of action long-term. Once fully fit, Benson should be in the mix to reclaim a spot in the top six, though Jiri Kulich and Jason Zucker should also be in contention.

OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Benson missed Saturday's game against the Devils in Prague with a lower-body injury, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.

Impact Benson played through the injury Friday when he managed 17:23 of ice time including 4:32 on the power play. He was unable to go Saturday. The Sabres will face the Kings at home on Thursday. Consider the 19-year-old, who had 11 goals and 30 points in 71 regular-season games last season, day-to-day.

OCTOBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two helpers Friday Benson picked up two assists in Friday's 4-2 win over the Flyers.

Impact He helped set up two Jack Quinn tallies, the first of which proved to be the game-winner. Benson has produced back-to-back two-point efforts and has four multi-point performances in the last 12 games, but he was held off the scoresheet entirely in the other eight contests. On the season, the 18-year-old has chipped in nine goals and 27 points over 66 games.

APRIL 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lights lamp twice in win Benson scored two goals on his only two shots on net while adding four PIM, two hits, one blocked shot and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Islanders.

Impact The 13th overall pick in the 2023 Draft is beginning to make an impact in the NHL. Benson has posted back-to-back multi-point performances, racking up three goals and five points, and remarkably the 18-year-old led all Buffalo forwards in TOI at even strength during Thursday's victory. Benson has nine goals and 23 points in 56 games on the season, but he could be gearing up for a big finish to the campaign.

MARCH 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Three points in big win Benson produced a goal and two assists in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Red Wings.

Impact All three points came in the first period as the Sabres grabbed a 4-1 lead they would never relinquish. Benson snapped a seven-game point drought with the performance, and it was his first multi-point effort since Dec. 21. The 18-year-old rookie's inconsistency is understandable, but he's seeing top-six shifts at even strength and could be worth a roster spot in deep fantasy leagues if he begins to get onto the scoresheet a little more often. Through 55 NHL games this season, Benson's collected seven goals and 21 points.

MARCH 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Supplies assist in low-scoring game Benson added an assist in Friday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Impact Benson is showing flashes of his potential as the 13th overall pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 5-foot-9 prospect has six goals and 11 assists through 46 games and 14:50 of average ice time, but expectations should be tempered as he's just 18 years old and trying to prove he belongs after making the grand leap from the WHL directly to hockey's highest level of competition.

FEBRUARY 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores Monday Benson scored a goal on three shots in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Ducks.

Impact Benson tied the game 3-3 in the second period, deflecting a Henri Jokiharju shot past John Gibson. The goal is just Benson's second in his last 23 games and his second point in 17 contests. It's been a struggle offensively for the rookie after a fast start to his NHL career, as he's dropped into a bottom-six role. The 18-year-old Benson now has six goals and 16 points through 44 games this season.

FEBRUARY 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Why Zach Benson is getting a look on the Sabres' top line Benson played with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on Monday, and Sabres coach Don Granato said he could “stabilize” the top line.

JANUARY 16, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Picks up two points in win Benson scored a goal on three shots and added an assist in Friday's 5-2 win over the Golden Knights.

Impact Benson's goal at 9:29 of the third period was the game-winner, and he also set up Alex Tuch on an insurance tally two minutes later. With three points over his last two games, Benson appears to be benefiting from being part of a healthier top six for the Sabres. The rookie winger has produced 10 points, 31 shots on net, 14 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through his first 21 outings.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nets lone goal in loss Benson scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Avalanche.

Impact Benson got the Sabres on the board late in the first period, burying a rebound off a Rasmus Dahlin shot. The Sabres played better over the final 40 minutes but couldn't build any momentum in the loss. Benson snapped a six-game point drought and now has three goals, five assists, 28 shots on net, 14 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 20 appearances. The 18-year-old is reportedly still in consideration for Canada's World Junior Championship roster, but it seems unlikely the Sabres will let him play in the tournament since he's currently in a top-six role for the club.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two points in defeat Benson tallied a goal and an assist in Thursday's 6-4 loss to St. Louis.

Impact Benson cut the Sabres' deficit to 3-2 in the second period with a quick wrist shot off a faceoff before adding a secondary assist on John-Jason Peterka's tally in the third. It's the second goal of the season for the 18-year-old Benson -- he has five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games since returning from a seven-game absence due to a lower-body injury. Overall, he's up to two goals and seven points across 13 games in his rookie campaign.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sabres thoughts: On Patrick Kane not choosing Buffalo, Zach Benson in World Juniors and more BUFFALO, N.Y. — At the start of NHL free agency on July 1, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams made it clear to Patrick Kane and his...

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM