ZACH BENSON NEWS

Playing Friday Benson will play in his 10th game of the season Friday versus Pittsburgh, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.

Impact The Sabres are burning the first season of Benson's entry-level contract as the diminutive forward has been productive in his role on the second line of late. Benson has a goal and five points in nine games and will line up alongside Casey Mittelstadt and John-Jason Peterka, as well as seeing second unit power-play time.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dazzles with first NHL goal Benson scored a goal Wednesday in a 4-3 overtime loss to Washington.

Impact It was a highlight-reel goal and a great way to mark his first career NHL snipe. Benson took a pass in the bottom of the left circle from Victor Olofsson, skated into the slot and put the pucks between his legs before roofing from behind his body past Darcy Kuemper. Benson (18 years, 194 days) became the fourth-youngest player in franchise history at the time of his first snipe. He's behind Pierre Turgeon, Rasmus Dahlin and Nikita Zadorov.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Buffalo Sabres rookie Zach Benson scores first goal on highlight-reel, between-the-legs shot Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson, the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft, used a spectacular move to score his first NHL goal.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

Nabs helper in return Benson logged an assist, two hits and two PIM in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Jets.

Impact Benson saw 14:43 of ice time in a second-line role in his return from a lower-body injury that cost him seven contests. The helper was his first point since a two-assist game Oct. 14 versus the Islanders. The 18-year-old has three helpers, seven shots on net, eight PIM and a minus-1 rating through seven outings. Benson has two more games to make a strong impression before the Sabres have to decide if he's going back to WHL Wenatchee or staying in the NHL with the first year of his entry-level contract active.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in lineup Friday Benson (lower body) was taken off injured reserve and is expected to play Friday in Winnipeg, according to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.

Impact This will be Benson's seventh game of the season. Buffalo coach Don Granato wants to see how productive he can be over the next three games before deciding whether to burn a year on his entry-level contract, or to send him back to the WHL, before his 10th game. Benson has two assists thus far. He will replace Lukas Rousek on the roster with Rousek becoming the 13th forward.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sabres thoughts: Tage Thompson's injury, the Zach Benson decision and more The Sabres have some roster moves to make and they have competition for Patrick Kane.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Expected to play during road trip Benson (lower body) has a "good chance" to play during the Sabres' upcoming three-game road trip according to coach Don Granato, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports Wednesda...

Impact Benson will need to be activated off injured reserve before he can suit up for the Sabres, a move that will almost certainly be offset by placing Tage Thompson (upper body) on IR. IN six games this season, the 18-year-old Benson garnered two assists, six shots and six PIM while averaging 13:17 of ice time.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured reserve The Sabres have put Benson (lower body) on injured reserve Friday, Sabres insider Joe Yerdon reports.

Impact Benson is week-to-week at this time. The 18-year-old, who was selected 13th overall in the 2023 Draft, had two assists in six games with the Sabres. Don't be surprised if Buffalo returns him to the WHL when he is ready to return.

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Johnston: What I'm hearing about NHL rookies chasing their 10th game From Connor Bedard and Logan Cooley to Leo Carlsson and Zach Benson, here's the latest on rookies approaching the 10-game threshold.

OCTOBER 31, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Considered week-to-week Benson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Impact With Zach Benson facing an extended absence, the recently recalled Brandon Biro could get an opportunity to fill a top-six role for the foreseeable future. Benson, who's picked up two helpers through six contests this season, could land on injured reserve in the coming days.

OCTOBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Surprise NHL breakouts? Zach Benson, Brock Faber and top 10 under-the-radar rookies With such a stacked NHL rookie class, there's plenty of exciting young talent not quite getting their due.

OCTOBER 26, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Back in lineup Tuesday Benson (lower body) will return to the lineup Tuesday versus the Senators, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Impact Benson will return after a two-game absence, bumping Tyson Jost from the lineup. The 18-year-old Benson has produced two assists and four shots on goal over four games while filling a bottom-six role to begin his NHL career.

OCTOBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Monday Benson (lower body) won't play Monday against the Canadiens, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Impact Benson will sit out a second straight game after being injured in a 4-3 loss to Calgary on Thursday. However, he could be an option for Tuesday's contest against Ottawa. The 18-year-old forward has two assists and four shots on goal through four outings this campaign.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Saturday Benson (lower body) won't play Saturday against the Islanders, Jourdon LaBarber of the Sabres' official site reports.

Impact Benson is still dealing with some soreness, so he will be held out of the lineup as a precaution. The 18-year-old forward has two assists and four shots on goal in four games this season.

OCTOBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Practicing Saturday Per Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald, Benson (lower-body) returned to practice Saturday.

Impact Benson was unavailable Friday after he was injured during Thursday's 4-3 loss to Calgary. The 18-year-old has two assists in four games this season. Benson was selected 13th overall in the 2023 Draft and is averaging 14:13 of ice time, including 1:22 on the power play.

OCTOBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers lower-body injury Benson is day-to-day after suffering a lower-body injury in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Calgary.

Impact The rookie missed practice Friday, Benson has a pair of assists in four games this season after scoring 36 goals and adding 62 assists in 60 games for WHL Winnipeg. The diminutive first-round forward is an offensive dynamo who will have plenty of fantasy value in the coming years.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Benson, Jordan Greenway are bright spots in Sabres' winless start to season The Sabres lost 3-2 to the Islanders and fell to 0-2 on the season but Benson and Greenway were bright spots.

OCTOBER 15, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Gets first two NHL points Benson registered two assists in Buffalo's 3-2 loss to the Islanders on Saturday.

Impact It was Benson's first two points in his second career game. He logged 15:16 of ice time Saturday after getting 14:27 in his NHL debut Thursday. Benson, who was taken with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, scored 36 goals and 98 points in 60 WHL outings with Winnipeg in 2022-23.

OCTOBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

'We got frustrated': Sabres' season-opening loss brings a familiar struggle Also, Zach Benson had an eventful NHL debut on Thursday, and other observations.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM