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

[Lavar Ball]

Lovely assist here:

 

[Halfy]

Another 4 points today in a matinee to bring him up to 85 in 52 games. Nice goal today too.



Him and Savoie continue to be lethal shorthanded scoring more than they’ve allowed.

 

[Icebreakers]

Another 4 points today in a matinee to bring him up to 85 in 52 games. Nice goal today too.



Him and Savoie continue to be lethal shorthanded scoring more than they’ve allowed.

That pass is insane? He doesnt even look where Savoie is.

 

[Antonche]

That pass is insane? He doesnt even look where Savoie is.

This is a spider sense.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

Would you guys say he is the player closest to the 1-4 tier?

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Would you guys say he is the player closest to the 1-4 tier?

Yes I would have him as my consensus #5.

Bedard
Fantilli
Carlsson/Michkov
Benson
Rest

 

[bsu]

Him and Will Smith are right there

 

[JotAlan]

Would you guys say he is the player closest to the 1-4 tier?

In my opinion yes. He is 5a/5b with Smith. But I can see it drop by 7/8. However, if he had a significant advance in skating leading up to the draft I believe he would push the top 4.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Brayden Point but a playmaking winger

 

[Juxtaposer]

Would you guys say he is the player closest to the 1-4 tier?

I have fully included him in the tier with Michkov/Carlsson/Fantilli. Benson is an elite prospect.

 

[QJL]

He's pushing for #3 on my list ahead of Fantilli and Carlsson. Sky high IQ. I'd rank IQs in this draft:

1. Michkov
2. Benson
3. Bedard

 

[WeThreeKings]

Would you guys say he is the player closest to the 1-4 tier?

Will Smith for me.

 

[BCNate]

Would you guys say he is the player closest to the 1-4 tier?

I think him and Will Smith are the next 2 off the board after the top 4. I could see a team potentially taking Benson before Michkov if they are very concerned about him signing another KHL deal.

I see alot of Marner in him.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I think him and Will Smith are the next 2 off the board after the top 4. I could see a team potentially taking Benson before Michkov if they are very concerned about him signing another KHL deal.

I see alot of Marner in him.

I think Benson could go as high as 3, if the team picking there doesn’t like Carlsson (I think there’s a remote possibility of this) and doesn’t want to risk Michkov. He could also go as low as 8, if teams are concerned about his size (legitimate, though misguided in my opinion) and skating (deeply wrong) or if they’re dead-set on a center or defenseman.

 

[Halfy]

Another assist today but could’ve been much more.

Assist was beautiful.


Plus I caught this nice clip from him later in the game. Not dynamic tho

 

[Juxtaposer]

Tonight was the kind of game that, despite not lighting up the scoresheet, shows why Benson is so valuable. He’s the guy you want out there killing penalties, tiring out opposition with long shifts in their own zone, defending the 6v5 at the end of the game when you’re in Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals, never giving up on the puck. Incredibly rare coming from a winger to boot.

 

[BKarchitect]

Is Benson a better prospect than Savoie at this point? Obviously the Ice are fantastic with both of them. But it seems like at this point Benson is even more of a driver.

 

[majormajor]

Is Benson a better prospect than Savoie at this point? Obviously the Ice are fantastic with both of them. But it seems like at this point Benson is even more of a driver.

Benson is more than a year younger, scores significantly more, is elite defensively, is there any question which is the better prospect at this point?

 

[SlafySZN]

Is there a chance he plays center in the NHL or you guys see him 100% on the wing?

 

[BKarchitect]

Benson is more than a year younger, scores significantly more, is elite defensively, is there any question which is the better prospect at this point?

I wouldn’t think so but am just looking for some confirmation from hardcore Ice/WHL fans.

I mean Savoie is a SH demon at the WHL level also and his PPG was pretty close last year when he was Benson’s age to Benson this year. And he centers with Benson on his wing.

I don’t think it’s a crazy question. I’m truly interested in knowing if Benson is a level above given their scoring rates this year and Benson’s rise as a probably top 5 pick in what is perceived to be a stronger draft or if we are sleeping on Savoie/hyping the younger guy more just because he (Savoie) came back this year and isn’t scoring at quite the rate he did in his draft year.

Is Benson legit a different level as a play driver and all around player? Last years draft is considered weak and Savoie went 9th. This years is considered amazing and Benson is as high as 3rd and probably no worse than 5th or 6th on most lists. So I get that would mean his perceived value as a prospect is much higher. But is this factually the case from those who can compare them on the same team and same line in fact on a near nightly basis?

 

[Chainshot]

I would give Benson the nod over Savoie too. Not a knock on Savoie, just Benson is doing things in his draft year that Savoie has grown into after his draft year - the PKing partnership for example. Benson has another year to stack on to his game.

What I would like to know is the knocks on Benson's skating that I read from time to time. What is it that people are looking at because I don't see skating deficiencies. I'm also a casual observer and not in tune with the mechanics of it to the degree some who comment are and I'm curious what it is that has that come up.

 

[Halfy]

I wouldn’t think so but am just looking for some confirmation from hardcore Ice/WHL fans.

I mean Savoie is a SH demon at the WHL level also and his PPG was pretty close last year when he was Benson’s age to Benson this year. And he centers with Benson on his wing.

I don’t think it’s a crazy question. I’m truly interested in knowing if Benson is a level above given their scoring rates this year and Benson’s rise as a probably top 5 pick in what is perceived to be a stronger draft or if we are sleeping on Savoie/hyping the younger guy more just because he (Savoie) came back this year and isn’t scoring at quite the rate he did in his draft year.

Is Benson legit a different level as a play driver and all around player? Last years draft is considered weak and Savoie went 9th. This years is considered amazing and Benson is as high as 3rd and probably no worse than 5th or 6th on most lists. So I get that would mean his perceived value as a prospect is much higher. But is this factually the case from those who can compare them on the same team and same line in fact on a near nightly basis?

It’s not close. Not even a debate.

 

[Michoulicious]

Is Benson a better prospect than Savoie at this point? Obviously the Ice are fantastic with both of them. But it seems like at this point Benson is even more of a driver.

Not even close. Benson way better.

 

[rt]

Would you guys say he is the player closest to the 1-4 tier?

Yes. I have him way ahead of Smith, personally. Many will disagree with me but I think Benson is significantly better.

 

[TheSnipeshow91]

Him and petey would be a nightmare to play against