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

[Kalv]

I think he plays 9 games. It would be a colossal mistake to keep in the NHL. He needs to go back to junior.

Awesome to see. He was very highly touted by some experts.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I think he plays 9 games. It would be a colossal mistake to keep in the NHL. He needs to go back to junior.

Totally depends on how he plays those nine games, but yea, it seems likely that he gets those 9 games at least

 

[Gold Standard]

Totally depends on how he plays those nine games, but yea, it seems likely that he gets those 9 games at least

regardless of how well he plays those 9 games, he needs to go back to junior. that's my opinion.

 

[toddkaz]

Does he make the Sabres?

I think he gets his shot. Too good for the WHL and can't play in the AHL. I wish they would have some exceptions to the rule.

I think he plays 9 games. It would be a colossal mistake to keep in the NHL. He needs to go back to junior.

"He needs to...." You know what his needs are now?

 

[Ace]

regardless of how well he plays those 9 games, he needs to go back to junior. that's my opinion.

I’m sure they’ll factor your opinion in while he’s giving their PP a completely different look, is playing on the top line and forechecking better than most established forwards and keeps getting to the front of the net for opportunities. Weird an NHL organization that watches him might have a different opinion than an hfboard poster who sees his size listed on a website

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Not at all surprised by his performance. I said it before the draft, he's a top 3 caliber player in a lot of other drafts, maybe even 1OA. I had him 5th or 6th in this past draft but that's only because the top 4-5 of this draft was so good.

 

[Lavar Ball]

regardless of how well he plays those 9 games, he needs to go back to junior. that's my opinion.

What if he scores 20 goals

 

[ORRFForever]

regardless of how well he plays those 9 games, he needs to go back to junior. that's my opinion.

I agree. Some teams are too eager to rush kids.

Reading the LAF thread in the NYR forum is downright depressing - there's a kid who needed a ton more time outside of the NHL.

 

[Gold Standard]

What if he scores 20 goals

McDavid won't score 20 goals in 9 games...try living in the real world.

 

[bishop12]

I think he plays 9 games. It would be a colossal mistake to keep in the NHL. He needs to go back to junior.

Why? Such a catch phrase thing to say 'a mistake to keep him in the NHL'

I agree. Some teams are too eager to rush kids.

Reading the LAF thread in the NYR forum is downright depressing - there's a kid who needed a ton more time outside of the NHL.

Or he's just not that good?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

regardless of how well he plays those 9 games, he needs to go back to junior. that's my opinion.

If he could be the difference between Buffalo making or missing the playoffs, I think you have to keep him. But if doesn't play like a legit difference maker who could reasonably challenge for the Calder, I agree that sending him back might be the best play.

 

[ORRFForever]

Why? Such a catch phrase thing to say 'a mistake to keep him in the NHL'


Or he's just not that good?

There will always be a Sid on a Connor but... In my mind, there is NO downside to taking it slow.

 

[bishop12]

There will always be a Sid on a Connor but... In my mind, there is NO downside to taking it slow.

Yes, the fans pay the price.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I agree. Some teams are too eager to rush kids.

Reading the LAF thread in the NYR forum is downright depressing - there's a kid who needed a ton more time outside of the NHL.

Maybe, but Buffalo isn't one of those teams. We had one of the best offenses in the entire NHL last year. Benson isn't here because welp there's no one better, and maybe this kid will help sell tickets. He's still on the roster because he's been one of the best forwards (on a team that has no shortage of good forwards) during the preseason. He's unambiguously earned his opening night spot.

E: Alternatively, maybe Bedard needs to go back to juniors, too. After all, he's the same height as Benson, and they're tied for preseason points with 5.

 

[ORRFForever]

Maybe, but Buffalo isn't one of those teams. We had one of the best offenses in the entire NHL last year. Benson isn't here because welp there's no one better, and maybe this kid will help sell tickets. He's still on the roster because he's been one of the best forwards (on a team that has no shortage of good forwards) during the preseason. He's unambiguously earned his opening night spot.

But I want him at the WJRs !!!!!

 

[42]

What if he scores 20 goals

And adds 20 assists.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Does he make the Sabres?

At least nine games.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

The risk of keeping him up past 9 games is he eventually hits a wall, plays his way down the lineup and then stops getting prime minutes on a buffalo team desperately trying to make the playoffs unwilling to accept the lumps that come with giving an 18 year old rookie chances to develop his offensive game.

The safer route is probably to send him back.

 

[Dominance]

The risk of keeping him up past 9 games is he eventually hits a wall, plays his way down the lineup and then stops getting prime minutes on a buffalo team desperately trying to make the playoffs unwilling to accept the lumps that come with giving an 18 year old rookie chances to develop his offensive game.

The safer route is probably to send him back.

They can still send him back after 9 games in that situation, though. Who really cares about a year of ELC when you have a kid who can already boost your 1st line and thereby strengthen every line below him.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

They can still send him back after 9 games in that situation, though. Who really cares about a year of ELC when you have a kid who can already boost your 1st line and thereby strengthen every line below him.

Yeah Buffalo's cap situation I don't think they care about making sure every ELC year is max value for Benson, and maybe can get a discount on his 2nd contract even if the ELC ends early which matters more for their timeline. They should probably just do whatever they think makes the team more likely to make the playoffs.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

If Sam Gagner can make the NHL as an 18 year old when it was its was still a clutch and grab league and pot 49 points, so can Zach Benson.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Benson’s development is not hinging on what happens in his first 9 NHL games this year. He’s too smart and hard-working to be affected, however it goes.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

I’m sure they’ll factor your opinion in while he’s giving their PP a completely different look, is playing on the top line and forechecking better than most established forwards and keeps getting to the front of the net for opportunities. Weird an NHL organization that watches him might have a different opinion than an hfboard poster who sees his size listed on a website

Imagine some of the takes when Bergeron or O'Reilly made their teams at 18 , "they need to dominate their peers first!" Meanwhile both turned out ok.

I'm not saying Benson is either one of those guys, but it does happen when an 18 year old is just plain good enough and makes it. It is rare outside of the top 5 but it does happen and sometimes those players show why they made it at 18 and don't fail in spite of it. The idea of timelines that are set in stone is dumb, every player is unique

 

[Raistlin]

Imagine some of the takes when Bergeron or O'Reilly made their teams at 18 , "they need to dominate their peers first!" Meanwhile both turned out ok.

I'm not saying Benson is either one of those guys, but it does happen when an 18 year old is just plain good enough and makes it. It is rare outside of the top 5 but it does happen and sometimes those players show why they made it at 18 and don't fail in spite of it. The idea of timelines that are set in stone is dumb, every player is unique

OR, you have the next Cole Sillinger, Grigorenko or Jesse Poolparty. its a matter of playing it safe or potentially screwing up your prized top 15 prospect.

 

[Chainshot]

OR, you have the next Cole Sillinger, Grigorenko or Jesse Poolparty. its a matter of playing it safe or potentially screwing up your prized top 15 prospect.

Having lived through Regier trying to pigeon hole Greg O'Renko into the Sabres lineup after a ho hum mid-season camp, this situation is nothing like that.