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Respected analyst mocks Zach Benson to Buffalo Sabres

By Sion Fawkes |
WINNIPEG, CANADA - FEBRUARY 01: Zach Benson #9 of the Winnipeg ICE celebrates his goal with teammates Matthew Savoie #93 and Connor McClennon #94 during third period action against the Saskatoon Blades at Wayne Fleming Arena on February 01, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, CANADA - FEBRUARY 01: Zach Benson #9 of the Winnipeg ICE celebrates his goal with teammates Matthew Savoie #93 and Connor McClennon #94 during third period action against the Saskatoon Blades at Wayne Fleming Arena on February 01, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images)

In Corey Pronman’s latest mock draft, he slated Zach Benson to fall to the Buffalo Sabres at 13th overall. And this would be an ideal situation. 

At this point, we have no idea who the Buffalo Sabres will take with the 13th pick, but it doesn’t mean we can’t speculate on who might go to the Blue and Gold when draft day rolls around. One notable mock draft had Buffalo rolling with Matthew Wood, but The Athletic’s Corey Pronman will have fans excited for who he currently believes will join the organization in July.

In his latest mock, Pronman has Zach Benson of the Winnipeg Ice falling to the Sabres. Benson, a teammate of Matt Savoie’s, put up a remarkable campaign this past season, with 98 points, 36 goals, and 62 assists in 60 games. And this is coming off a 2021-22 season when he amassed 63 points and 25 goals in 58 contests.

Therefore, it’s safe to say Benson is pretty good with putting up heavy points totals. And while I don’t put much stock into metrics (it honestly depends on the player), I nonetheless found Benson’s rather impressive:

Zach Benson could go to the Buffalo Sabres at 13th overall

Now, there are a few knocks on Benson. For one, his Elite Prospects profile has him listed at just 5’10, 159lb. Therefore, you won’t see him hit the NHL ice any time soon. He’s also not a defenseman that many fans would love to see general manager Kevyn Adams bring in, but a winger.

Despite the drawbacks, Benson is one of the most productive players you will find in the 2023 draft. And while I don’t believe he will fall to the Sabres at 13th overall, it would be an easy decision to scoop him up if he’s available.

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Sure, the Buffalo Sabres are stacked at forward in their prospect pool. But this is a situation where you take the best available player and stash them away for later. Maybe they’ll play for you, maybe they won’t. But any way you look at it, a player like Benson will bring value to the organization.

Source: NHL Mock Draft 2023: Connor Bedard goes first, but how does rest of first round shake out? by Corey Pronman, TheAthletic.com

(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)

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