MOGlLNY
Registered User
- Jan 5, 2008
- 11,972
- 11,995
Benson is also a massive reason Tage has been heating up on the Sabres PP.
W/C Zachary Benson - (2023, 13th, BUF)
- Thread starter Artorius Horus T
- Start date
- Apr 27, 2005
- 34,852
- 32,889
I like Smith, but I'd take Benson with his elite motor and impressive all around game. And it's not like Benson isn't a capable offensive player - put Benson on the top line in college hockey and he'd probably be lighting up too.
dickiedunnwrotethis
It's gotta be true.
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
As a Sharks fan who had Benson ranked 5th pre-draft and Smith 6th… I like Benson more as a player but for a team with next to no high-end prospects, I always knew that Smith would be the pick and stand by it even if Smith doesn’t hit his upside.
Misko
Registered User
- Sep 30, 2020
- 311
- 525
Physics can be against smaller players when it comes to getting hit, but smaller players play differently than bigger players, and usually don't put themselves in positions to receive the same type of hits as bigger players and dont throw the same type of hits either. Due to their size, they grow up playing a specific type of game which I think evens out the risk and injury susceptibility.
Think of Slafkovsky, who is one of the largest 1st overalls in a very long time who seemed to be getting domed in the head every other night in his rookie season and ended up injured most of the year. Slaf is better now but Benson has been much healthier than him in his own rookie year for example.
How many 18 year Olds not drafted in the top 5 have scored 30+points? Benson is having an impressive campaign not only was he able to stick on the roster but continually improve his play throughout the season as the season is winding down it looks like he got more settled.
Gabrielor
Registered User
18 year olds usually aren't as ahead of the curve on the all-around game as him. He's amongst the best defensive forwards on the team. His points will go up with development and PP1 time. They didn't try him on PP1 until like game 75, and it immediately worked.
MOGlLNY
Registered User
- Jan 5, 2008
- 11,972
- 11,995
dj Mahoney
Registered User
- Apr 11, 2021
- 1,509
- 743
tsujimoto74
Moderator
- May 28, 2012
- 30,390
- 23,073
Realgud
Jersey ads are a disgrace
This player is completely out of control, good on the refs for taking the proper precautions and jailing this monster for 2 minutes at a time when he gets a little too comfortable and starts being a danger to the players around him. That crosscheck on Trouba could have paralyzed him.
Softest calls ever probably league wide officials hazing him only explanation I could think of
ORRFForever
Registered User
- Oct 29, 2018
- 19,523
- 10,864
Send the video to the League. Most of those calls were pathetic.
Satanphonehome
Registered User
- Jan 4, 2015
- 1,071
- 1,647
Lot of people still sleeping on this guy.
I've seen a lot of "only 30 points", "only in the NHL at 18 because Sabres", and "low ceiling, too small and slow".
As it stands right now, he's the 2nd-leading scorer from the the 2023 draft. I won't be surprised if he's still there after this season. I won't be surprised if he's still there when he retires.
I don't really care about the measurables. He's a treat to watch and just really good at hockey.
Plays the game the way it's meant to be played.
I've seen a lot of "only 30 points", "only in the NHL at 18 because Sabres", and "low ceiling, too small and slow".
As it stands right now, he's the 2nd-leading scorer from the the 2023 draft. I won't be surprised if he's still there after this season. I won't be surprised if he's still there when he retires.
I don't really care about the measurables. He's a treat to watch and just really good at hockey.
Plays the game the way it's meant to be played.
Yeah great player but disagree significantly with the bolded. Id be surprised if hes top 5
Fatass
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
- 23,158
- 14,920
Benson is good but he’s still small and struggles with nhl speed and size. Lots of smaller players have been successful though and it’s because of their smarts. Benson has smarts. So he should make a go of it.
