Zach Benson, who had a strong 2023–24 season, is one of the young players that the Buffalo Sabres will have on hand for the 2024–25 NHL season. His speed, decision-making, and finishing ability are all areas where he can still grow as he prepares for his sophomore season, but with an NHL season under his belt and an experienced coach at his side, chances are excellent that he will have an entertaining second campaign.
Benson has the tenacity of a grinder, the skills of a future superstar, and the can-do attitude that the Sabres will need if they are successful this season. His performance may not make or break their season by any means, but he can certainly be a player who plays a significant role if he gets the opportunity and runs with it.
He played the wing for almost all of his NHL career, even though he played some centre throughout his major junior career. He had numerous opportunities to develop a rapport with other players during his tenure, including Tage Thompson, Jordan Greenway, Dylan Cozens, Peyton Krebs, and Kyle Okposo. He felt most comfortable playing with Greenway on the third line or next to Cozens on the second line, as these combinations perfectly matched his aggressive, forward-pressing style of play. When it comes to attacking the puck, Benson is a tireless hound, so the key to his success will be finding teammates who can finish the plays he makes and who are ready to go down low with him.
Zach Benson’s first NHL goal, complete with a highlight-reel finish as he slides between his legs.
Where returning coach Lindy Ruff will place him on the roster for the upcoming season is still up in the air. Except for Ryan McLeod, who was just acquired and will probably centre the third line, the current roster is largely unchanged. To stay up with Mcleod, Benson will have to pick up the pace, but he could pull it off. Depending on how well he plays right out of the gate, he could play wing for either McLeod or Cozens. Benson appeared unbeatable before the previous season began, and at some times, he lived up to the promise (most notably with his first NHL goal). With the Sabres still looking for someone to fill the hole in their top six, Benson should be given a chance to prove he can play on the second line with Cozens and Jack Quinn before being relegated to the third line.
Benson is going to have a fantastic season if he can get consistent playing time on the second line. While his 30 points in 71 games in the 2023–24 campaign was certainly acceptable, he was capable of far more with a more consistent and larger role. It’s uncommon to see players like Benson have sharp rises in their point totals in the NHL these days, but he was on the right track at the end of the previous campaign, which makes me think he may see a significant boost by the end of the 2024–2025 campaign. Having said that, I am confident in predicting that his stat lines will resemble this:
Giving Benson some increased ice time 5-on-5 also means that he will likely get some additional power play time this coming season as well. As he scored zero power play goals in 2023-24 but had two assists, I can see him scoring his first one and having a few more assists to finish with seven man-advantage points by the end of the campaign. Benson being a rock-solid two-way playmaker and finisher gives him some well-rounded stat predictions. Seeing him in a full-blown scoring role, if Ruff sees him as that, will be something very exciting, especially since he has the work ethic to earn that spot.
The Sabres may have their next likely captain in Rasmus Dahlin, but someone like Benson cannot be overlooked for such a title in around five years. He is everything they want and needs on the ice, and as he steps onto that ice in year two, he will have a lot to show. The Sabres have much to accomplish on a team level in the coming season, and Benson will help them get there. Whether he does it from the second or third line will remain to be seen, but regardless of his position, he will be a player to watch all season long.