SabreSpace

Buffalo Sabres News and Discussion

Archives for June 29, 2023

Zach Benson 'super stoked' to become Sabres' first-round pick in Nashville

'The Sabres have watched Benson for two years. Their staff scouted the Ice in-person and poured through video leading up to the 2022 draft because they were deciding if Savoie would be their selection at ninth overall. The Ice’s coach, James Patrick, spent six of his 21 NHL seasons as a defenseman with the Sabres, and he was on the team’s coaching staff with Adams from 2011-13. … [Read more...] about Zach Benson ‘super stoked’ to become Sabres’ first-round pick in Nashville

Buffalo News |

Five things about Sabres' first-round pick Zach Benson, and that includes the carnivals

'Don’t discount Benson because of his size: Benson is listed at 5-foot-10 and approximately 165 pounds, but his stat lines from the WHL show he can be a playmaker. Jason Bukala of Sportsnet described Benson as “dynamic” on the power play from the weak side wing. Of his 62 assists in the regular season, 16 were on the power play. He added four power-play goals, too.' … [Read more...] about Five things about Sabres’ first-round pick Zach Benson, and that includes the carnivals

Buffalo News |

Mike Harrington: Don't worry about size. Be happy about the talent level of Sabres' draft choices

'You say Benson is too small at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, and I remind you that’s what the entire NHL thought when Alex DeBrincat fell to the 39th pick in 2016 in Buffalo. The thinking goes the only reason DeBrincat looked so good in junior was because he played in Erie with Connor McDavid. Pretty invalid. And remember how Cole Caufield fell to Montreal at No. 15 three years … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Don’t worry about size. Be happy about the talent level of Sabres’ draft choices

Buffalo News |

NHL Draft: In Zach Benson, Sabres add aggressive, dynamic junior star

'Benson, the 13th overall pick at Wednesday’s NHL Draft, formed half of a lethal duo with Sabres center prospect Matt Savoie last season, combining for a whopping 74 goals goals and 193 points. As a 15-year-old Western Hockey League rookie in 2020-21, he learned the rigors of junior from Sabres center Peyton Krebs.' … [Read more...] about NHL Draft: In Zach Benson, Sabres add aggressive, dynamic junior star

Olean Times Herald |

It’s a heist

'However, it’s not just about the points with Benson, it’s his speed in transition, hockey IQ making every correct decision with the puck and his attention to detail on defense makes him a well-rounded player. It keeps happening where small, skilled players fall in the draft and Buffalo boasting large forwards such as Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch is glad to take the short … [Read more...] about It’s a heist

Dunkirk Observer |

Kevyn Adams tried to get the Sabres back into the first round of the draft

'When you look through the history of the NHL Draft, the 13th overall pick hasn’t produced many great players. Adams said when he got Benson, he saw better skill than what usually pops up at 13, “You’ve heard me talk about projection and we felt like this player has the upside that often you don’t get at that spot in the draft, so the way the list was falling, we started to get … [Read more...] about Kevyn Adams tried to get the Sabres back into the first round of the draft

WGR-AM |

Sabres draft forward Zach Benson, junior linemate of ’22 top pick Matt Savoie

'Ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the sixth North American skater in his draft class, Benson is a skilled playmaker at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds. With experience playing center and left wing in junior hockey, Benson’s body and game fit the profile of Savoie and other recent draft picks made by Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams.' … [Read more...] about Sabres draft forward Zach Benson, junior linemate of ’22 top pick Matt Savoie

WIVB-TV |