He had flashes just isn't consistent yet i just didn't see the franchise winger potential top line yes but nyr does their young players no favors
W/C Zachary Benson - (2023, 13th, BUF)
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OkimLom
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- May 3, 2010
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It's why you should be watching the player instead of just reading texts. The fact you think LaFreniere is a better skater, tells me you haven't watched Benson, because that is just objectively false.
Benson handles his skating in the same manner that Jeff Skinner does to be effective in the NHL. Constant movement, and manipulation of his skating where he utilizes his edges and momentum to slip in and out of coverage, and body positioning and create angles to attack defenseman and soft spots on the ice, it's very much what today's NHL skater does to be at the top of the sport. He doesn't have elite top end speed, but his speed is above average. and his bursts allow him to be effective in all areas of the ice.
Lot of the time I see Benson clips I am reminded of nothing so much as Crosby. (edit stylistically, not quality wise)
While I wish Benson nothing but the best, I wish everyone else connected with Buffalo a severe case of genital warts for snaffling him one spot in front of the Pens
While I wish Benson nothing but the best, I wish everyone else connected with Buffalo a severe case of genital warts for snaffling him one spot in front of the Pens
Fantomas
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ginomini
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This is spot on, a few posters on the Habs board have been saying this all year. Stylistically Benson plays just like Crosby. Constant hustle, quick hands, short passes downlow, wide stance, strong backhand for dual threat playmaking, etc., etc.
toddkaz
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- Nov 25, 2022
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Damn, did someone tell Benson? Why even bother playing then because your interpretation of a scouting report matters.
MarkusNaslund19
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I love Benson but it's a poor look to be doing victory laps about your favourite prospect because he did something in a scrimmage 6 days after the draft.
Pavels Dog
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It's such a weird little victory lap too. No one is doubting Benson's ability to look good against junior players, in scrimmages etc.
Fantomas
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I will say why I think Benson dropped: he is small and likes to play in traffic and scouts see him as an injury risk. There's a concern that his body won't hold up.
If he stays healthy I think he's a first line player rather easily. I like his chances too.
tsujimoto74
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- May 28, 2012
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It’s July. I’m not sure what else you could’ve possibly expected when you clicked on it.
Ace
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and it’s the only game he’s ever played. Can you believe he was drafted at all with only this one clip?
Thats quite literally my point, its July and you have fans ushering that hes the steal of the draft after that clip
i ToLd YaLlLlLlLlLlL
MarkusNaslund19
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I literally have been touting Benson as the guy I wanted the Canucks to draft since January. I'm pleased with Willander, particularly given our circumstances, but I love him as a pick for the Sabres.
But, "I told y'all' based on a scrimmage is just tacky. I expect better from Wheeler whom I quite like.
OkimLom
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Right? How dare someone have the mindset to be excited about a prospect here on a Hockey’s Future forum. Also, I think it shows the character of Benson when he hasn’t put himself in leagues against actual men. I mean what is he waiting for!?
Yatzhee
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Couple of notes on this kid after watching him. He has fantastically silky hands. His foot work is also high end. Noticed during drills his short speed burst is surprisingly strong strided for a kid his size, but his 200 ft speed is just above average. He needs to put on weight, and I expect he will over the next 2 to 3 years.
During the 3 v 3 non contact scrimmage drill, couple of notes....
He uses his silky hands and foot work to his advantage for positioning, he needs to learn to keep space from defenders while creating space. If this was a contact scrimmage he'd of been on his arse with how tight he was maneuvering around the D as he went to the net.
Otherwise than that, Buffalo looks to have gotten a steel at 13 with this kid. My early projection, a high end 2nd line winger with ability to slide and transition to 1st line if injury or other event warrants. Of course, this early projection, as with all prospects, is subject to be revised as his development moves forward.
During the 3 v 3 non contact scrimmage drill, couple of notes....
He uses his silky hands and foot work to his advantage for positioning, he needs to learn to keep space from defenders while creating space. If this was a contact scrimmage he'd of been on his arse with how tight he was maneuvering around the D as he went to the net.
Otherwise than that, Buffalo looks to have gotten a steel at 13 with this kid. My early projection, a high end 2nd line winger with ability to slide and transition to 1st line if injury or other event warrants. Of course, this early projection, as with all prospects, is subject to be revised as his development moves forward.
Tufted Titmouse
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A coworker out West calls him Mitch Marner lite - any credence to that? I only catch WHL games while on vacation or in the Mem Cup. If he's right, getting him at 13 is ridiculous.
MarkusNaslund19
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Did you not see the tweet that the Benson highlight came from?
I'm not blaming Sabres fans for being stoked, I like the Sabres and am stoked for them.
It's a 'prospect reporter' whom I generally like, saying, 'told y'all' smugly because of a scrimmage 9 days after the draft. It's a bad look and doesn't prove anything.
I'm glad the highlight exists and I'm impressed by it. I like Benson. I can't make this any simpler for you.
DatDude44
Hmmmm?
- Feb 23, 2012
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I mean, a meaningless prospect scrimmage and his relentless effort like a fly on s**t, told me alot of what I need to know about benson not as much skill wise but character and mentality wise, if he's doing that in one of these throwaway games, i'd imagine his intensity and compete level only rises in real games. The type of player you love being around at the rink everyday. I'd certainly be excited if I were a Buffalo faithful, seems like the exact type of player buffalo targets, high skill, high mental processor and relentless work ethic type of kid. Not only are the Sabres adding tons of talent to their roster over the years, it seems their adding character type players as well, which every ex player will tell you, no championship team has ever lacked those type of guys in the room.
Now, overall, this clip and that scrimmage effects nothing, but in terms of showing the type of kid benson is and what they're bringing into the organization, that clip in a nutshell explains why people like myself and others are extremely excited about him. Of course, it's a scrimmage, of course he's expected to dominate or be one of the best on the ice, but that doesn't guarantee the effort and motor he showcased (see Zach Bolduc in the blues camp as opposite side of the spectrum candidate who's expected to push for a roster spot).... Certainly a positive for sure. and this is a hockeys future message board so, yeah, i fully expect sabres fans to gush over benson (and many others) and it is what it is lol.
Side note, i'm feeling similiarly about Dvorsky in STL and Musty in SJ. lol
TheUnusedCrayon
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- Apr 12, 2018
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I mean, yeah, it's a meaningless prospect game to us... but it isn't to those kids who are trying to impress so they can hopefully become future NHL players one day. It's a scrimmage, but it's not like it's a practice to these kids. They're not working on stuff, they're aiming to impress the coaches that work for those specific NHL teams.
At the end of the day, you can be pessimistic all you want but that is still a phenomenal display of hockey.
At the end of the day, you can be pessimistic all you want but that is still a phenomenal display of hockey.
Yatzhee
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It's so early to tell yet, but my first viewing of him this camp, I came away believing this kid was a top 10 pick. And at 13 he didn't really fall much outside of that assessment. I know I sound like a broken record, but we'll really know more over the next couple of years.
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