W/C Zachary Benson - (2023, 13th, BUF)

[BoHorvat 53]

Think he's the 5th best prospect in this draft behind Bedard, Michkov, Carlsson and Fantilli - it's crazy how the more things change the more they stay the same. One would think these GMs would be much more willing to take smaller guys based off of seeing people like Kane, Marner, Point, Gaudreau (to name a few) succeed in this league. Benson has the potential, IMO, to be up there with the 4 aforementioned players in regards to small successful players. Home run pick of the draft, which sounds crazy because he was drafted in the middle of the 1st round, but I think the Canadiens and especially the Capitals will be looking back at this and kicking themselves leaving this kid on the board.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Think he's the 5th best prospect in this draft behind Bedard, Michkov, Carlsson and Fantilli - it's crazy how the more things change the more they stay the same. One would think these GMs would be much more willing to take smaller guys based off of seeing people like Kane, Marner, Point, Gaudreau (to name a few) succeed in this league. Benson has the potential, IMO, to be up there with the 4 aforementioned players in regards to small successful players. Home run pick of the draft, which sounds crazy because he was drafted in the middle of the 1st round, but I think the Canadiens and especially the Capitals will be looking back at this and kicking themselves leaving this kid on the board.

There's a pretty long list of smaller prospects who had the metrics of an elite NHLer but ended up having their game significantly impacted by injuries, so I can be a bit of a gamble.

 

[DFAC]

Love the player, disappointed but not surprised the Canucks passed on him. Hoping he does well in Buffalo - kid's got star potential written all over him

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

There's a pretty long list of smaller prospects who had the metrics of an elite NHLer but ended up having their game significantly impacted by injuries, so I can be a bit of a gamble.

I’d argue theres just as many big guys who had the same thing happen, but the little guys get more attention. No one says Patrick’s injuries are due to size, that’s just bad luck, but with a small guy the blame is easier to place.

That said, I think his injury explains the drop. Scouts look at that and draw conclusions, instead of acknowledging that it can happen to anyone.

I have a slight concern that his compete coupled with his size may increase the risks, but he’s also a damn smart positional player so he should be able to figure out what he can and can’t do.

Overall- I’m hyped as f***. I don’t follow prospects much, but knowing what I know about this guy now- he’ll be a goddamn beast if he can just avoid the injury bug, and I’m convinced he’s skilled enough to do so. You saw Hughes take some knocks and he’s back to rockin, Benson will do the same. A gutsier Gaudreau, a more mature Marchessault, let’s go, dude is legit.

 

[TheUnusedCrayon]

I’d argue theres just as many big guys who had the same thing happen, but the little guys get more attention. No one says Patrick’s injuries are due to size, that’s just bad luck, but with a small guy the blame is easier to place.

That said, I think his injury explains the drop. Scouts look at that and draw conclusions, instead of acknowledging that it can happen to anyone.

I have a slight concern that his compete coupled with his size may increase the risks, but he’s also a damn smart positional player so he should be able to figure out what he can and can’t do.

Overall- I’m hyped as f***. I don’t follow prospects much, but knowing what I know about this guy now- he’ll be a goddamn beast if he can just avoid the injury bug, and I’m convinced he’s skilled enough to do so. You saw Hughes take some knocks and he’s back to rockin, Benson will do the same. A gutsier Gaudreau, a more mature Marchessault, let’s go, dude is legit.

Exactly. Bigger guys tend to have knee issues as well.

 

[Beerz]

Now we just need James Patrick back in the organization

 

[TageGod]

#Winning

 

[Jeremy2020]

Wow, I think Adams should be happy if Benson drops at 13 and he takes him.

You were correct.

 

[Fjordy]

You were correct.

 

[Raistlin]

he dropped because of position scarcity, teams arent drafting for talent alone this year. If there wasnt a RHD right there for the Canucks, or a mature C for St Louis and Detroit, there is no way he gets to 13. As for Phx..... no clue how that organisation gets run.

 

[Brookbank]

His scouting reports give me Lafreniere vibes. Hockey sense, playmaking and vision. Elite passer. These are buzzwords in both scouting reports. The difference is Lafreniere is a better skater.

Smaller forwards that aren't elite skaters is what Hunter Shinkeruk and Jordan Schroeder were. It didn't translate into the NHL

Craig Button had him at #14

 

[MichaelFarrell]

His scouting reports give me Lafreniere vibes. Hockey sense, playmaking and vision. Elite passer. These are buzzwords in both scouting reports. The difference is Lafreniere is a better skater.

Smaller forwards that aren't elite skaters is what Hunter Shinkeruk and Jordan Schroeder were. It didn't translate into the NHL

Craig Button had him at #14

I wouldn’t say that Lafreniere was known for elite hockey sense. He’s a tremendous athlete that has a great well-rounded skillset. His overall game just hasn’t translated to the NHL in part because he relied a lot on his pure athleticism. If Lafreniere can improve his hockey sense, he will be the player the we thought he’d be.

As for Zach Benson, while he doesn’t have tremendous skating, he has a great skillset that I believe will translate to the NHL. Benson has phenomenal hockey sense, is great in transition, and has great motor. I think he’s a sure-fire top six winger.

 

[Brookbank]

I wouldn’t say that Lafreniere was known for elite hockey sense. He’s a tremendous athlete that has a great well-rounded skillset. His overall game just hasn’t translated to the NHL in part because he relied a lot on his pure athleticism. If Lafreniere can improve his hockey sense, he will be the player the we thought he’d be.

As for Zach Benson, while he doesn’t have tremendous skating, he has a great skillset that I believe will translate to the NHL. Benson has phenomenal hockey sense, is great in transition, and has great motor. I think he’s a sure-fire top six winger.

Check the scouting reports. Lafreniers top quality was his hockey sense.

2020 Draft Profile: LW Alexis Lafreniere : The Draft Analyst

A gifted and versatile scoring winger with outstanding hockey sense and the ability to elevate his game when the situation calls for it, Lafreniere possesses many traits that scream elite and potential NHL superstar. From his deadly wrist shot to his superior playmaking and vision, the St. Eustache native checks every block imaginable when it comes to possessing the puck. What makes Lafreniere unique, however, is his insanely high compete level, tenacity on the puck, physicality, and selflessness.

 

[EichHart]

How/why did he fall so far? He played with Savoie who went # 8 last yr and put up more pts on the same line and hes quite a bit younger.

Ranked #6 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #5 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #6 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #8 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #6 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #8 by THE HOCKEY NEWS
Ranked #9 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #6 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #14 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #6 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #7 by SPORTSNET
Ranked #9 by HPR/SHANE MALLOY
Ranked #3 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #5 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #6 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #5 by SMAHT SCOUTING

 

[Mrb1p]

How/why did he fall so far? He played with Savoie who went # 8 last yr and put up more pts on the same line and hes quite a bit younger.

Ranked #6 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #5 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #6 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #8 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #6 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #8 by THE HOCKEY NEWS
Ranked #9 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #6 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #14 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #6 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #7 by SPORTSNET
Ranked #9 by HPR/SHANE MALLOY
Ranked #3 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #5 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #6 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #5 by SMAHT SCOUTING

Because teams are dumb af. Thats it. Same reason MM fell, or Cristall, Heidt, Lardis... Small.

 

[NotProkofievian]

How/why did he fall so far? He played with Savoie who went # 8 last yr and put up more pts on the same line and hes quite a bit younger.

Ranked #6 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #5 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #6 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #8 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #6 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #8 by THE HOCKEY NEWS
Ranked #9 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #6 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #14 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #6 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #7 by SPORTSNET
Ranked #9 by HPR/SHANE MALLOY
Ranked #3 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #5 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #6 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #5 by SMAHT SCOUTING

In general, people - even NHL GMs, perhaps especially NHL GMs - are more risk averse than they are reward seeking.

Benson is small, which makes NHL scouts flaccid, so he fell to 13th despite being about the 5th or 6th best prospect by production. That's nothing compared to how far Cristall fell, though. Statistically, Cristall is the superior prospect to Benson, and he went all the way to 40th. Of the players selected between Benson and Cristall, about 1 in 2, maybe more maybe less, will be no better than replacement, and maybe 2 or 3 could be argued to have comparable upside.

 

[Sabre the Win]

His scouting reports give me Lafreniere vibes. Hockey sense, playmaking and vision. Elite passer. These are buzzwords in both scouting reports. The difference is Lafreniere is a better skater.

Smaller forwards that aren't elite skaters is what Hunter Shinkeruk and Jordan Schroeder were. It didn't translate into the NHL

Craig Button had him at #14

Failed GM and the only person to have him outside of 10.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

His scouting reports give me Lafreniere vibes. Hockey sense, playmaking and vision. Elite passer. These are buzzwords in both scouting reports. The difference is Lafreniere is a better skater.

Smaller forwards that aren't elite skaters is what Hunter Shinkeruk and Jordan Schroeder were. It didn't translate into the NHL

Craig Button had him at #14

Yeah and Button was the only scouting report that had him outside the top 10. Let's focus on the one out of 30 others.

In general, people - even NHL GMs, perhaps especially NHL GMs - are more risk averse than they are reward seeking.

View attachment 724537

Benson is small, which makes NHL scouts flaccid, so he fell to 13th despite being about the 5th or 6th best prospect by production. That's nothing compared to how far Cristall fell, though. Statistically, Cristall is the superior prospect to Benson, and he went all the way to 40th. Of the players selected between Benson and Cristall, about 1 in 2, maybe more maybe less, will be no better than replacement, and maybe 2 or 3 could be argued to have comparable upside.

How is Cristall the superior prospect to Benson? Literally no one thinks that, outside yourself, I guess.

Failed GM and the only person to have him outside of 10.

Beat me to it.

 

[NotProkofievian]

How is Cristall the superior prospect to Benson? Literally no one thinks that, outside yourself, I guess.

I said statistically. And how are Cristall's statistics not superior to Benson's? Cristall has the better PPG, more shots, more goals, higher share of his team's offence, and all while playing on a team that scored 115 fewer goals. Smaht scouting tracked both prospects and Cristall had completed more passes than Benson had even attempted.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

I said statistically. And how are Cristall's statistics not superior to Benson's? Cristall has the better PPG, more shots, more goals, higher share of his team's offence, and all while playing on a team that scored 115 fewer goals. Smaht scouting tracked both prospects and Cristall had completed more passes than Benson had even attempted.

I did miss the statistically portion. I guess if you incorporated the playoffs last year, it is about even. However, Cristall obviously played on a much worse team. I thought he'd be a top 20 pick so I was shocked he fell to 40.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I did miss the statistically portion. I guess if you incorporated the playoffs last year, it is about even. However, Cristall obviously played on a much worse team. I thought he'd be a top 20 pick so I was shocked he fell to 40.

My intent here was also not to shit on Benson, but to say that both prospects were IMO undervalued for the same reason. NHL GMs are scared to take a swing on a smålboi.

 

[Faceboner]

Check the scouting reports. Lafreniers top quality was his hockey sense.

2020 Draft Profile: LW Alexis Lafreniere : The Draft Analyst

A gifted and versatile scoring winger with outstanding hockey sense and the ability to elevate his game when the situation calls for it, Lafreniere possesses many traits that scream elite and potential NHL superstar. From his deadly wrist shot to his superior playmaking and vision, the St. Eustache native checks every block imaginable when it comes to possessing the puck. What makes Lafreniere unique, however, is his insanely high compete level, tenacity on the puck, physicality, and selflessness.

Watching them both i never saw the elite hockey sense just a guy who was physically mature who was a slow skater with an above average skillset i always wondered why he was picked 1st with benson his skill pops at you and there is no wonder to why most people had him as a top six pick

 

[Dominance]

Watching them both i never saw the elite hockey sense just a guy who was physically mature who was a slow skater with an above average skillset i always wondered why he was picked 1st with benson his skill pops at you and there is no wonder to why most people had him as a top six pick

You’re blind or talking out your ass if you thought Lafreniere did not have elite hockey sense in juniors.

His strengths were his incredible vision and ability to direct play in the offensive end, not any of his physical tools. His very poor assist totals in the NHL are mind-blowing.

 

[Faceboner]

You’re blind or talking out your ass if you thought Lafreniere did not have elite hockey sense in juniors.

His strengths were his incredible vision and ability to direct play in the offensive end, not any of his physical tools. His very poor assist totals in the NHL are mind-blowing.

Not really he is always a step behind the play and to slow to make up for it he was able to get away with alot of stuff in juniors due to his physical maturity that he can't get away with now he did have great vision in juniors and was positionally aware but watching him in the show he is unnoticeable for now his low numbers were not mind-blowing to me its not like with hughes who put up low numbers but still stood out with his skills and iq

 

[Dominance]

Not really he is always a step behind the play and to slow to make up for it he was able to get away with alot of stuff in juniors due to his physical maturity that he can't get away with now he did have great vision in juniors and was positionally aware but watching him in the show he is unnoticeable for now his low numbers were not mind-blowing to me its not like with hughes who put up low numbers but still stood out with his skills and iq

He wasn’t like that in junior. I think it’s a confidence thing. Damn NYR forever for how they deployed him from Day 1.