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

[Realgud]

He's all over the ice and everything looks so easy for him at this level. He's breaking up plays, scoring goals, getting in people's face... he does it all.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

What's scary about a guy like Benson is he still appears so physically immature. At every level, he's dominating against guys stronger and more developed than him. Personally don't think he's near showing what he's capable of, versus guys in this draft whose talents are realized. Would take him top five and not look back.

This is a good point.

I've never seen this kid play but I'm notoriously distrustful of guys that physically mature too early and are able to use that maturity to dominate rather than their skills and mind.

This is a good sign for this player.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Benson is like if you gave Gallagher brain and skill.

 

[Halfy]

4 points again through 2 periods.

62 in 36 overall. Tied with Cristall for second in the league.

27 points on his current 12 game streak.

He also tried a Zegras flip pass today but a defender broke Savoies stick in half on the swing attempt.

 

[danyhabsfan]

Montreal

Come on downnnn

 

[Halfy]

Got a really low quality version here

 

[Artorius Horus T]

4 points again through 2 periods.

62 in 36 overall. Tied with Cristall for second in the league.

27 points on his current 12 game streak.

He also tried a Zegras flip pass today but a defender broke Savoies stick in half on the swing attempt.

26 points in his last 11 games (2.40 ppg).
Has a had a good run, hopefully lasts rest of the season.

 

[FourQuarters]

26 points in his last 11 games (2.40 ppg).
Has a had a good run, hopefully lasts rest of the season.

Savoie really heats up, their line is hot

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

What Cristall and Benson are doing would make them 1st overall caliber prospects in a lot of other drafts. Reminds me of Marner in 2015, where he lit up the OHL but because McDavid was doing crazy things he wasn't really all that hyped. But both these guys have tremendous upside. Cristall is like a carbon copy of Giroux and Benson reminds me of Keller and maybe Point?

I would have taken both of these guys 1OA last year.

Crazy that the top 4 scorers in the WHL are all draft eligible players. What a crazy draft for western Canada.

 

[Halfy]

Bedard Even strength points - 43
Benson Even strength points - 43
Cristall Even strength points - 39

 

[Fraser28]

4 points again through 2 periods.

62 in 36 overall. Tied with Cristall for second in the league.

27 points on his current 12 game streak.

He also tried a Zegras flip pass today but a defender broke Savoies stick in half on the swing attempt.

Kinda fun that the top 3 scorers in the WHL are all BC boys expected to go in the first half of the first round this draft.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

What Cristall and Benson are doing would make them 1st overall caliber prospects in a lot of other drafts. Reminds me of Marner in 2015, where he lit up the OHL but because McDavid was doing crazy things he wasn't really all that hyped. But both these guys have tremendous upside. Cristall is like a carbon copy of Giroux and Benson reminds me of Keller and maybe Point?

I would have taken both of these guys 1OA last year.

Crazy that the top 4 scorers in the WHL are all draft eligible players. What a crazy draft for western Canada.

It's also crazy that both Cristall and Benson could not even being drafted in the top-4 of this upcoming draft. And even with guys like Smith will be fighting for 5th overall.

 

[Yasuo]

this year draft could be up there with 2013 and 2015

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

It's also crazy that both Cristall and Benson could not even being drafted in the top-4 of this upcoming draft. And even with guys like Smith will be fighting for 5th overall.

Yeah it's nuts. There are at least 6-7 guys who are legitimate 1OA caliber prospects.

 

[QJL]

It's also crazy that both Cristall and Benson could not even being drafted in the top-4 of this upcoming draft. And even with guys like Smith will be fighting for 5th overall.

Im definitely thinking about Benson in the top 4…

 

[lawrence]

Bedard Even strength points - 43
Benson Even strength points - 43
Cristall Even strength points - 39

Quick note.

Bedard has no drafted prospect to play along side with or another up and coming fellow draftee. He’s doing it himself.

The same with Andrew cristall. He has Dach as a teammate but he’s been injured and he’s 23 points ahead of the next player who is a 23 draft eligible.

Benson has 1st rounders Conner geekie

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Quick note.

Bedard has no drafted prospect to play along side with or another up and coming fellow draftee. He’s doing it himself.

The same with Andrew cristall. He has Dach as a teammate but he’s been injured and he’s 23 points ahead of the next player who is a 23 draft eligible.

Benson has 1st rounders Conner geekie

Suzdalev is drafted and quite talented, though I am not sure if he's a career NHLer quite yet. Howe is also seems like a good long term complimentary guy.

I think Regina's true weakness is their defensive depth, it's piss poor after Svozil, so any time he isn't on the ice the forwards have to do almost all the work to transition and score.

Regardless, Benson's crew is definitely superior all around and he has more help than either dude. I do think Benson is excellent along the entire length of the ice, something Bedard and Cristall aren't. If he was even above average as a skater, he'd be talked about as a possible franchise winger more regularly.

 

[Halfy]

Quick note.

Bedard has no drafted prospect to play along side with or another up and coming fellow draftee. He’s doing it himself.

The same with Andrew cristall. He has Dach as a teammate but he’s been injured and he’s 23 points ahead of the next player who is a 23 draft eligible.

Benson has 1st rounders Conner geekie

Man Tanner Howe and Suzdalev get no respect. Both are very very good players.

Szturc is also a very good player for Kelowna.

The common misconception is for people to look at Benson and point to Savoie or the team around him. No, it’s actually Benson that carries his line. He’s the best player on the ICE and it’s not close. Savoie and Geekie have actually been pretty disappointing. I was hoping for big steps forward from them but it hasn’t happened. Savoie has been better recently but idk how much of that can be attributed to playing with Benson.

Benson has played primarily with Savoie and Nash/McClennon the last 20 or so games. Savoie’s game didn’t come around until that point

 

[lawrence]

do think Benson is excellent along the entire length of the ice, something Bedard and Cristall are

Please elaborate.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Please elaborate.

I think Benson is more intense than the other two defensively more specifically, and he does a great job sticking to assignments and using his stick to disrupt attackers.

 

[Faceboner]

Please elaborate.

Think he meant aren't

 

[Kevin Musto]

Bedard has no drafted prospect to play along side with or another up and coming fellow draftee. He’s doing it himself.

???

Tanner Howe is a projected top 10 pick next year. Suzadalev was drafted in the 3rd round. On the backend, Svozil was a 3rd rounder.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Bedard has no drafted prospect to play along side with or another up and coming fellow draftee. He’s doing it himself.

You literally couldn't be more wrong about this.

 

[Kibe]

I think a better note is Bedard playing 5 less games due to WJC.

 

[prongertheman9]

???

Tanner Howe is a projected top 10 pick next year. Suzadalev was drafted in the 3rd round. On the backend, Svozil was a 3rd rounder.

0% chance Tanner Howe is a top 10 pick next year, early second rounder at best.

Bedard plays with Howe and Valis at 5v5, or at least has for the majority of the season. In terms of help, Cristall and Bedard definitely have WAY less help at 5v5.