They made a huge mistake in his Development, who has been there to teach or Mentor this kid. He has basically learned on his Own. I blame the Sabres for Dahlin not being Elite.
- Buff36

Wheeler's Top 100 Drafted NHL Prospect Rankings

#20
Zach Benson
LW3
BUF
Height:
5' 10"
Weight:
170 Ibs
DOB:
May. 12, 2005

Benson’s a driver in every sense. He’s a multi-dimensional forward who has quick acceleration (I never understood how some called his skating average), can handle the puck at speed and change tempos in control, can shape play by opening up his hips to go heel to heel, thrives in traffic, is a triple shot-deke-pass threat, plays one step ahead of the game in possession, supports the play effectively, problem-solves incredibly well, works hard off the puck to keep his energy up (he plays heavier and scrappier than he looks, too), and sets the pace (whether by picking it up or slowing it down to use his creativity) and effort level for his line.

He’s the kind of player who fills the stat sheet and elevates his linemates in subtle ways, while providing shockingly impressive two-way play for a smallish (about 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds) winger. Increasingly, I’ve been impressed by his agility in and out of breaks and cuts (his skating is an underrated asset for him and particularly impressive through his edges and crossovers, though he can get going the length of the ice, too). He’ll make plays to the inside from the perimeter on one shift and then go right to the guts of the ice to make something happen in a congested area the next. When you package all of that skill with a dogged work ethic that keeps him around pucks all the time, you’ve got a tremendous player. If he were a little bigger, he’d be a scout’s dream. I think he’s going to be a top-of-the-lineup player regardless. And while I know the scoring wasn’t there in his rookie season, his shooting percentage should bounce back in time and his style will lend itself to getting around the net and finishing his fair share of plays (on top of the playmaking game).

There were a lot of nights three seasons ago, on a Winnipeg Ice team that boasted half a dozen of the better forwards and two of the top defensemen in the WHL, where Benson was the best player on the ice (which included him leading the Ice in playoff scoring with 23 points in 15 games) as a 16-year-old. By his draft year, there was no doubt: Though an injury kept him out of the first round of the playoffs, Benson was the best forward on one of the CHL’s most talented teams at forward. At year’s end, I ranked him sixth on my final list for the 2023 draft and the Sabres took him 13th. When he made the Sabres out of camp, I wasn’t honestly surprised. Though returning to the WHL and playing for Canada at the world juniors was probably the expected outcome, his game has always endeared itself to coaches.

biron said he was good a few weeks ago
- homiedclown

Wish I remembered the segment date and time, but yeah he said he looked good all throughout camp as well as the 3v3. Said he trimmed down a lot and is faster in his reactions.

Promising if nothing else.

Biron isn't afraid to be honest about goalies. He still doesn't like UPL that much.

Wheeler's Top 100 Drafted NHL Prospect Rankings

#20
Zach Benson
LW3
BUF
Height:
5' 10"
Weight:
170 Ibs
DOB:
May. 12, 2005

Benson’s a driver in every sense. He’s a multi-dimensional forward who has quick acceleration (I never understood how some called his skating average), can handle the puck at speed and change tempos in control, can shape play by opening up his hips to go heel to heel, thrives in traffic, is a triple shot-deke-pass threat, plays one step ahead of the game in possession, supports the play effectively, problem-solves incredibly well, works hard off the puck to keep his energy up (he plays heavier and scrappier than he looks, too), and sets the pace (whether by picking it up or slowing it down to use his creativity) and effort level for his line.

He’s the kind of player who fills the stat sheet and elevates his linemates in subtle ways, while providing shockingly impressive two-way play for a smallish (about 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds) winger. Increasingly, I’ve been impressed by his agility in and out of breaks and cuts (his skating is an underrated asset for him and particularly impressive through his edges and crossovers, though he can get going the length of the ice, too). He’ll make plays to the inside from the perimeter on one shift and then go right to the guts of the ice to make something happen in a congested area the next. When you package all of that skill with a dogged work ethic that keeps him around pucks all the time, you’ve got a tremendous player. If he were a little bigger, he’d be a scout’s dream. I think he’s going to be a top-of-the-lineup player regardless. And while I know the scoring wasn’t there in his rookie season, his shooting percentage should bounce back in time and his style will lend itself to getting around the net and finishing his fair share of plays (on top of the playmaking game).

There were a lot of nights three seasons ago, on a Winnipeg Ice team that boasted half a dozen of the better forwards and two of the top defensemen in the WHL, where Benson was the best player on the ice (which included him leading the Ice in playoff scoring with 23 points in 15 games) as a 16-year-old. By his draft year, there was no doubt: Though an injury kept him out of the first round of the playoffs, Benson was the best forward on one of the CHL’s most talented teams at forward. At year’s end, I ranked him sixth on my final list for the 2023 draft and the Sabres took him 13th. When he made the Sabres out of camp, I wasn’t honestly surprised. Though returning to the WHL and playing for Canada at the world juniors was probably the expected outcome, his game has always endeared itself to coaches.
- Wanchuk

STINKS

Could have waited, there were better players available
- Buff36

top 5 went full panic mode

Wheeler's Top 100 Drafted NHL Prospect Rankings

#20
Zach Benson
LW3
BUF
Height:
5' 10"
Weight:
170 Ibs
DOB:
May. 12, 2005

Benson’s a driver in every sense. He’s a multi-dimensional forward who has quick acceleration (I never understood how some called his skating average), can handle the puck at speed and change tempos in control, can shape play by opening up his hips to go heel to heel, thrives in traffic, is a triple shot-deke-pass threat, plays one step ahead of the game in possession, supports the play effectively, problem-solves incredibly well, works hard off the puck to keep his energy up (he plays heavier and scrappier than he looks, too), and sets the pace (whether by picking it up or slowing it down to use his creativity) and effort level for his line.

He’s the kind of player who fills the stat sheet and elevates his linemates in subtle ways, while providing shockingly impressive two-way play for a smallish (about 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds) winger. Increasingly, I’ve been impressed by his agility in and out of breaks and cuts (his skating is an underrated asset for him and particularly impressive through his edges and crossovers, though he can get going the length of the ice, too). He’ll make plays to the inside from the perimeter on one shift and then go right to the guts of the ice to make something happen in a congested area the next. When you package all of that skill with a dogged work ethic that keeps him around pucks all the time, you’ve got a tremendous player. If he were a little bigger, he’d be a scout’s dream. I think he’s going to be a top-of-the-lineup player regardless. And while I know the scoring wasn’t there in his rookie season, his shooting percentage should bounce back in time and his style will lend itself to getting around the net and finishing his fair share of plays (on top of the playmaking game).

There were a lot of nights three seasons ago, on a Winnipeg Ice team that boasted half a dozen of the better forwards and two of the top defensemen in the WHL, where Benson was the best player on the ice (which included him leading the Ice in playoff scoring with 23 points in 15 games) as a 16-year-old. By his draft year, there was no doubt: Though an injury kept him out of the first round of the playoffs, Benson was the best forward on one of the CHL’s most talented teams at forward. At year’s end, I ranked him sixth on my final list for the 2023 draft and the Sabres took him 13th. When he made the Sabres out of camp, I wasn’t honestly surprised. Though returning to the WHL and playing for Canada at the world juniors was probably the expected outcome, his game has always endeared itself to coaches.
- Wanchuk

top 5 went full panic mode
- homiedclown

Hopefully he keeps getting better, all that matters at this point.

- washedup20

Come sit on my Lap and tell Santa what you want.

- washedup20

No words

So no Zegras?

So, as of this morning:
Dahlin sucks
Tuch is worthless
We have no goalies
Benson should go back to pre-school
And the games are irrelevant.

Good to note.

I, on the other hand, am looking forward to a one game per month improvement with the changes made and see them in the mid 90's. I refuse to look at the season being over before Camp has even started.

So, as of this morning:
Dahlin sucks
Tuch is worthless
We have no goalies
Benson should go back to pre-school
And the games are irrelevant.

Good to note.

I, on the other hand, am looking forward to a one game per month improvement with the changes made and see them in the mid 90's. I refuse to look at the season being over before Camp has even started.
- TC4145

Playoffs yes or no?

Eichel is a much better 2 way player than Tuch, and even with those games missed Tuch is only ahead by like 14pts
- Buff36

I don't see that tbh. I think Eichel just plays in a far superior defensive system. I'd read before that Tuch's defensive stats got worse with the trade, Eichel's got better, so it's probably somewhere in the middle there.

Obviously Jack is more talented, my point is simply about injuries. If Jack keeps missing 20-30 games per year, and Tuch keeps scoring, that certainly won't leave me pouty. Think that trade is a lot closer than people give it credit for is all I'm getting at in the end. I think Jack winning the Cup made it distasteful is all.

Same burden as last season, unless you count 4 goals as some kind of large difference.

23-24 Bottom Six
Okposo 12
Zemgus 8
Krebs 4
Greenway 10
Mittelstadt 14
Benson 11
Olofsson 7
TOTAL = 66

24-25 Bottom Six
Lafferty 13
NAK 6
Malenstyn 6
Greenway 10
McLeod 12
Benson 11
Krebs 4
TOTAL = 62
- kingcong39

Interesting, I would've bet there would be a bigger disparity there. Good exercise there.

Playoffs yes or no?
- Boss34

Could be.
So many variables to consider in projecting their points, with 96-98 typically a team gets in.

Just internally to the Sabres,
-impact of Lindy on System, in-game tactics/adjustments, holding players accountable
-growth/bounce back by players who had a down year in Tage, Tuch, Cozens, Quinn, Dahlin, Power
-improved speed tenacity in bottom 6
-better production from L3 more specifically
-improved special teams

Then one has to consider the external competition that remains strong in the East...most PO teams got better, or least I think will hang onto a PO spot.. Wash got better after qualifying last season with 91 pts while being ~40 G's on the negative side of the ledger... Most notably, NJ is better.
So very tough competition.

The only players current on the roster that don’t fit are

Greenway and Krebs.

Both players have other players on the roster that replaced them.

Laffery and McLeod for Krebs
The entire 4th line for greenway.

Could be.
So many variables to consider in projecting their points, with 96-98 typically a team gets in.

Just internally to the Sabres,
-impact of Lindy on System, in-game tactics/adjustments, holding players accountable
-growth/bounce back by players who had a down year in Tage, Tuch, Cozens, Quinn, Dahlin, Power
-improved speed tenacity in bottom 6
-better production from L3 more specifically
-improved special teams

Then one has to consider the external competition that remains strong in the East...most PO teams got better, or least I think will hang onto a PO spot.. Wash got better after qualifying last season with 91 pts while being ~40 G's on the negative side of the ledger... Most notably, NJ is better.
So very tough competition.
- IonSabres

Hate to say it, but we still haven't spent the Skinner money. So we effectively gave away a 30g scorer to save Pegs money and didn't replace his production. Until that type of thing changes, we aren't going to be a contender. Staying a fringe playoff team each year isn't the way to turn this ship around anyways. And that's what we're HOPING for.

The only players current on the roster that don’t fit are

Greenway and Krebs.

Both players have other players on the roster that replaced them.

Laffery and McLeod for Krebs
The entire 4th line for greenway.
- Sabretooth9

Why not Krebs? With better linemates, he'll produce more. He's a good skater and has some snarl for a smaller player. Greenway's slow ass is the one that doesn't fit IMO. Fair?

Why not Krebs? With better linemates, he'll produce more. He's a good skater and has some snarl for a smaller player. Greenway's slow ass is the one that doesn't fit IMO. Fair?
- QuinnFan

Krebs had skinner and I forgot the other winger to end the year last year. That entire line was a mess. (And I like Krebs)

Same page about greenway.

So that is fair. I just don’t see Krebs in the lineup on opening day. Maybe a healthy scratch.

You aren’t playing Krebs over zucker or benson to start on left wing

Hate to say it, but we still haven't spent the Skinner money. So we effectively gave away a 30g scorer to save Pegs money and didn't replace his production. Until that type of thing changes, we aren't going to be a contender. Staying a fringe playoff team each year isn't the way to turn this ship around anyways. And that's what we're HOPING for.
- QuinnFan

Quinn's gonna pop off 30+ this year. He is poised for a big breakout imo.

Benson's gonna get 20+, JJ gonna hit 25+, Tage back to 45, Coz-Coz at 25, Tuch will crack 30....nobody will be thinking of Jeffy by end of training camp.

Our PP will be middle of the pack, which alone will net us 10 more points than last year. and PK will be top-10. Dahlin will be a Norris finalist and hit 20+60

And our goalie collective save % will be over .900. 6k will be above average in all major categories. This whole franchise is primed for a breakout year like we've all been dreaming of.



Mark it down.

Quinn's gonna pop off 30+ this year. He is poised for a big breakout imo.

Benson's gonna get 20+, JJ gonna hit 25+, Tage back to 45, Coz-Coz at 25, Tuch will crack 30....nobody will be thinking of Jeffy by end of training camp.

Our PP will be middle of the pack, which alone will net us 10 more points than last year. and PK will be top-10. Dahlin will be a Norris finalist and hit 20+60

And our goalie collective save % will be over .900. 6k will be above average in all major categories. This whole franchise is primed for a breakout year like we've all been dreaming of.



Mark it down.
- LandlordTom

Maybe more like 25 games into the Season for Skinner, what does TC have to do with us missing his production.

The only players current on the roster that don’t fit are

Greenway and Krebs.

Both players have other players on the roster that replaced them.

Laffery and McLeod for Krebs
The entire 4th line for greenway.
- Sabretooth9

Agreed, for forwards.
On Defense RyJo and Joker are redundant P3 guys. You may include Cliffy in there as well.
2 of the 3 are needed, and I dare say RyJo is a better fit then either of the others.

just play the 2 together instead of trying to force something that is not working
- homiedclown

Sabres 101! Pound square peg in round hole!!!

2013 - Cal Peterson, walked away
2014 - Jonas Johansson, AHL goalie, traded for Nikita Novikov
2015 - None
2016 - None
2017 - UPL
2018 - None
2019 - Erik Portillo, traded for Gavin McCarthy
2020 - None
2021 - None (traded for Devon Levi, 2020 7th rd pick)
2022 - Topias Leinonen
2023 - Scott Ratzlaff
2024 - Ryerson Leenders

Goalies take between 2 (CHL) and 4 (Euro/NCAA) years to just show up into your system, let alone play NHL minutes for you.

I bet you can see the reason why Doogie Houser and Toki have been here for the better part of a decade.

Even then, you may not sign them all for various reasons. Drafting one every year decreases your chances of having to fall on a Jack Campbell or Joonas Korpisalo grenade.
- TheSabresTaco

So very true. Get the right goalie coach. And become a goalie factory. And you will get players you want if it is successful.