Prospect Info: Zach Benson, LW/C, Wenatchee (WHL), Signed ELC- 2023, 13th Overall

[TageGod]

Love it. Excited for him long term, I would like to see him start on the third line. Playing a 200 ft game is nice for the third line but need to see a boost in production before he moves up.

 

[Ralonzo]

I would guess he would have needed to be paper transactioned down before the deadline to be eligible. His pro contract started so I would think the rules for playoff eligibility are different once that happens.

But it doesn’t matter either way. He needs to head to the off-season now. It’s more than just playing the full season…his last off-season was a deep playoff run, followed by combine and draft and dev camp and rookie tournament and vet camp and preseason…not to mention moving to a new country and everything that comes with that. Kid hasn’t stopped since before last season in Winnipeg started.

Must be a real culture shock for him to be always on the move, staying in different cities while traveling across the continent...

(yes that's sarcasm )

 

[Dingo44]

Love it. Excited for him long term, I would like to see him start on the third line. Playing a 200 ft game is nice for the third line but need to see a boost in production before he moves up.

I see Quinn-Cozens-Benson as a thing next year. They were easily our best line down the stretch and I see no reason to change it.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I see Quinn-Cozens-Benson as a thing next year. They were easily our best line down the stretch and I see no reason to change it.

And it 100% has the potential to be the league's most dangerous shutdown line.

 

[HaNotsri]

I see Quinn-Cozens-Benson as a thing next year. They were easily our best line down the stretch and I see no reason to change it.

It depends on what centers we have available. I'd love to have a smarter center than Cozens on that line.

 

[CowbellConray]

It depends on what centers we have available. I'd love to have a smarter center than Cozens on that line.

I think Cozens can do a lot of the "straight line" work without having to think too much when he has capable wingers like Quinn and Benson on his line. And, that line can absolutely produce offense on the flip side which is a plus

 

[TageGod]

I see Quinn-Cozens-Benson as a thing next year. They were easily our best line down the stretch and I see no reason to change it.

That is our second line. On a good team, that is a third line. See my issue?

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

That is our second line. On a good team, that is a third line. See my issue?

I think that’s a pretty big reach - all of these guys are top 10 pics and none of them are even at their prime yet. If they all peek at what they’re supposed to be, or even 90% of it, that is better than most of the second lines in the league.

 

[TageGod]

I think that’s a pretty big reach - all of these guys are top 10 pics and none of them are even at their prime yet. If they all peek at what they’re supposed to be, or even 90% of it, that is better than most of the second lines in the league.

IF is key here. Not this years version. Not assuming they all are better next year.

 

[Zman5778]

That is our second line. On a good team, that is a third line. See my issue?

Disagree.

On a good team, I absolutely think that Quinn-Cozens-Benson can be a 2nd line......a 2nd line that is good both ways, even.

 

[TageGod]

Disagree.

On a good team, I absolutely think that Quinn-Cozens-Benson can be a 2nd line......a 2nd line that is good both ways, even.

"Can be" yes, this year they were not good enough.

 

[Beerz]

"Can be" yes, this year they were not good enough.

Um..they only played a handful of games together

 

[DapperCam]

I'm kind of wondering if he will be reunited with Savoie next year.

Benson - (UFA or trade vet center) - Savoie

^^^ That could be a decent 3rd line IMO.

 

[Ace]

I think Cozens can do a lot of the "straight line" work without having to think too much when he has capable wingers like Quinn and Benson on his line. And, that line can absolutely produce offense on the flip side which is a plus

You mean…play like a winger? Because he is a winger. And we’re all starting to figure it out finally

 

[CowbellConray]

You mean…play like a winger? Because he is a winger. And we’re all starting to figure it out finally

Yes - I think fundamentally his play will look more like a winger, while Benson/Quinn actually handle some of that lifting. But, he would be a Center in the sense that he will take faceoffs.

 

[Misko]

I think Benson's game would be wasted on a 3rd line. I can see him starting on a 3rd line to start the season to see where he's at after an offseason of rest, training and contemplation, but he already had reasonable chemistry with Cozens and Quinn and I think he'll at least play on the 2nd line next season. His defensive game is too polished and his offensive IQ too high to not rise up the lineup.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[MOGlLNY]

Just thinking about Zach Benson

 

[Jacob582]

Just thinking about Zach Benson

I hope Zach Benson is thinking about his workout.

Lance Lysowski writes:

"The Sabres have given Benson a comprehensive plan to follow on and off the ice to improve in specific areas that will help him next season. He’ll stay with a relative near Vancouver so he’s in close proximity to the trainers and coaches who will prepare him to try to make a bigger impact against older, experienced NHLers"

 

[Faceboner]

I hope Zach Benson is thinking about his workout.

Lance Lysowski writes:

" The Sabres have given Benson a comprehensive plan to follow on and off the ice to improve in specific areas that will help him next season. He’ll stay with a relative near Vancouver so he’s in close proximity to the trainers and coaches who will prepare him to try to make a bigger impact against older, experienced NHLers"

He has the drive to get his regiment sped up hopefully they give him some solid on ice routines too

 

[OkimLom]

And Bedard? So along with about 50 other players in the last 10 years.

Sounds like your rules are arbitrary to your feelings of a player.

Okay. Because like every other player, it’s based on a player by player basis, but id still want a standard of expectation and development process in place. Because if a player doesn’t show exceptional immediate impacts on the game, it doesn’t throw off my plans for players.

But seeing as we’re talking a 1st rounder that hasn’t shown that ability, he fits my prospect policy/process moreso than the attempted “gotchas” of players you are hilariously trying bring up to prove whatever point you are. Yes there are exceptions to the rules, but it’s not any different that other teams implement.

 

[Panthaz89]

People get so defensive around here when you try to suggest that kids would benefit by developing more and not be rushed to the NHL the second they’re able to play there.

Benson stands nothing to gain playing in the AHL when he's literally doing fine in the NHL its a bad argument when the player already plays an all around game.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Benson stands nothing to gain playing in the AHL when he's literally doing fine in the NHL its a bad argument when the player already plays an all around game.

You forget something here though. He scored at 0.46 points per game so it meant he wasn’t ready to play in the NHL. If he was ready, it’d be 0.92 points per game.

Don’t ask me to explain it. You already know the reasons why he wasn’t ready. Prove why he was ready. Knight to rook 4 and checkmate*



*my entire post was sarcasm and further on, I don’t even know if those chess terms are accurate

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Benson stands nothing to gain playing in the AHL when he's literally doing fine in the NHL its a bad argument when the player already plays an all around game.

It was a nothing year, and he will be a UFA earlier, and we burned a year of entry-level deals -- all because they were too cheap to sign someone on a one-year deal as a gap measure for Quinn. Buffalo is one of the worst-run teams in the league. We may still find success but the amateur hour moves are endless.

 

[Dingo44]

It was a nothing year, and he will be a UFA earlier, and we burned a year of entry-level deals -- all because they were too cheap to sign someone on a one-year deal as a gap measure for Quinn. Buffalo is one of the worst-run teams in the league. We may still find success but the amateur hour moves are endless.

Jeez dude. All because Benson earned his way onto the team? The leaps one has to make to draw these conclusions...