One recurring image from the Buffalo Sabres' breakthrough 2025-26 season was Zach Benson riling up a group of opposing players and then skating away with a wide smile on his face. He enjoys nothing more than getting under the skin of opponents.
It's quantifiable, too. TSN's Travis Yost recently examined which NHL players drew the most penalties per 60 minutes at even strength over the past two seasons and Benson checked in at No. 12 (1.44).
"In a league that is increasingly defined by special teams efficiency and tight scoring margins, the ability to draw penalties while staying disciplined is a covetable skill," Yost wrote. "Teams that can identify and develop penalty advantage players carry a tangible edge. Over an 82-game season, it can be the difference between qualifying for the playoffs and an early summer vacation."
Notorious rat Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers, who previously praised Benson's similar style of play, also unsurprisingly landed on the list at No. 10.
It's one of those little things that helps a team win games, even if it doesn't show up directly on the nightly stat sheet. (And if the Sabres' case, it didn't always lead to a significant boost because of an often dreadful power play being unable to capitalize on the man advantage created.)
Nevertheless, it's an underrated piece of Benson's toolkit as he attempts to emerge as one of the league's best two-way wingers in the years ahead. He's coming off a campaign where he posted a career-high 43 points (13 goals and 30 assists) across 65 appearances.
The 5-foot-10 forward remained a menace in Buffalo's first trip to the playoffs since 2011, tallying nine points in 13 games to go along with 64 penalty minutes, 16 hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-six rating. His relentless compete level is a perfect match for postseason hockey.
It's all part of the reason the Sabres signed Benson to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension ($7.5 million AAV) in June to keep him with the franchise through 2033.
Zach Benson ticketed for a bigger role with the Buffalo Sabres in 2026-27
Benson's uptick in point production came despite spending stretches of last season on the fourth line. It wasn't a demotion. Instead, he was simply the forward best suited the handle a defensively focused role after head coach Lindy Ruff decided to give Peyton Krebs an extended look on the top line.
It's unlikely the No. 13 selection in the 2023 NHL Draft will spend much, if any, time skating on the bottom trio in 2026-27 following the departure of Alex Tuch.
Benson will be one of the players expected to take on a larger role as the Sabres attempt to replace Tuch, who filled a key role in all three phases, in the aggregate since they haven't signed or traded for a direct replacement this summer.
The Canadian winger could open the campaign on the first line alongside Tage Thompson and either Josh Norris or Josh Doan, depending on whether Ruff wants Thompson at center or on the wing. He'll also be one of the players considered for more ice time on both the power play and penalty kill.
His increase in playing time, and likely consistent top-six minutes, will give Benson a golden opportunity to put together a breakout offensive season.
Although the Sabres are taking a risk by trying to replace Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram without any truly high-profile additions this offseason, it's hard to blame the front office for betting on the likes of Benson, Doan, Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich, Konsta Helenius, Olen Zellweger and Louis Crevier to take their games to another level in more prominent roles.
Benson may be the safest bet of the entire group. His tireless motor and elite hockey IQ create a high floor. He's going to make a positive impact, even if he's not scoring at a high-end rate.
The intangibles are a major reason he's on an accelerated path toward NHL stardom.
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