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What does Zach Benson bring to the Buffalo Sabres?

By Sion Fawkes

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Zach Benson speaks to the media after being selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 13th overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Zach Benson speaks to the media after being selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 13th overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) /
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Zach Benson won’t suit up for the Buffalo Sabres in a regular season game for quite some time, but he will bring a massive level of excitement early on.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Buffalo Sabres signed second round pick Anton Wahlberg to an entry-level contract and now, they can add Zach Benson to the list. Thanks to his incredible offensive output, Benson will be an exciting prospect to watch for the Sabres this season when he inevitably ends up back in the WHL, but he will provide some excitement as summer makes way for fall.

Benson, who is a teammate of Sabres 2022 ninth overall pick Matt Savoie, is arguably the team’s top prospect at forward from a potential-laden standpoint. In 2022-23, the winger tallied 98 points in just 60 contests, with 36 goals and 62 assists, as he and Savoie led the Winnipeg Ice to a WHL Championship appearance, where they lost four games to one against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Check out the tweet below from Sabres PR for a quick rundown regarding Benson:

What can we expect from Buffalo Sabres prospect Zach Benson in 2023-24?

I’m looking for Benson to team up with Savoie once more when the Prospects Challenge rolls around on September 15th. Given their overall chemistry in Winnipeg, where they combined for 193 points and 74 goals, we should see the dynamic duo show a few flashes vs. some of the better prospects that will partake in the challenge.

I’m also looking for them to see some in-game action when camp rolls around before the Sabres ultimately assign Benson to the WHL. Savoie could also join him at that time, but if the Sabres want to give their 2022 first round pick limited NHL and AHL exposure, they must keep him on the main roster for a short period. Ultimately, I can see him joining Benson in Wenatchee, Washington, where the Ice relocated and were rebranded as the Wild this summer.

Related Story. 5 Buffalo Sabres prospects in CHL leagues to follow in 2023-24. light

Overall, you can expect Benson to entertain us during the Prospects Challenge and maybe even the preseason before he heads back to the junior leagues for at least another year. And the fact that he has Savoie here will make his brief stay in the Queen City this year all the more exciting.

Source: Benson signs 3-year, entry-level contract with Sabres by Katelyn Kardaman, NHL.com

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