I said when we drafted him that Zach Benson at #13 that he was immediately the best prospect in the system. I still believe that right now although I will say that Savoie was closer to him than I expected. That all said, Benson has just consistently shown he is that dog. What I mean is that he isn't some 18yr old kid out there trying to figure it out, he is out there playing his game. He forechecks like a pro, he manipulates like a pro, and he has so much battle in him that I can't wait until he is maybe an inch taller and 20lbs heavier. 5'11" 190lbs Benson will be other teams nightmare fuel.
Now, last night it was a preseason game. There were about maybe 5-6 NHL regulars in Boston's lineup so it wasn't like Benson was playing a true forward or defensive lineup. That said, Benson played his game. One of the GDT questions that I think is very good to ask is, would Rosen or Kulich be as good with Tage and Skinner? I said no, that Benson wasn't good because he was with Tage and Skinner. Meaning, I do not think Benson was good because Skinner and Tage were making him look good but that Benson was playing exactly how he would play with them or Okposo and Zemgus. There is a surety and maturity to his game that works with anyone he plays with.
Now was he perfect last night? No, I remember a "clever" little backhand pass that went straight to a defender. For as good as he can be forechecking there were times where larger players were able to just push him off the puck, although I remember on one of those occasions, Benson just revved his engine higher and took the puck anyways. My point here is should we be thinking about Zach Benson in Buffalo this season? He was not a liability at all last night with Tage and Jeff. He is only going to get better and the NHL is a place that will 100% challenge him. His bump pass to Skinner though and his manipulations of opposing players was on full display, he has the skills and the brain right now to make the jump.
Personally, I would send him back to jr. I think he needs to improve his skating speed (he has high end edges but that initial jump needs to improve). I think his shot could also see improvement and the WHL would give him time to work on that as well. Overall he needs about another 5-10lbs of pure muscle to really be able to bounce off or fight through some of the checks and I think the lighter WHL schedule versus the NHL would give him the time to do that. Finally, next year there will be 3 or so forward spots open but JJP, Cozens, Quinn, and Krebs will all have another year of NHL time (and Quinn should be healthy) so it gives us some more mix and match options for guys like Savoie or Benson to get a touch of sheltering when needed.
That said... Benson is that dog. He is going to continue to make it harder and harder to justify returning him to the WHL.
I said when we drafted him that Zach Benson at #13 that he was immediately the best prospect in the system. I still believe that right now although I will say that Savoie was closer to him than I expected. That all said, Benson has just consistently shown he is that dog. What I mean is that he isn't some 18yr old kid out there trying to figure it out, he is out there playing his game. He forechecks like a pro, he manipulates like a pro, and he has so much battle in him that I can't wait until he is maybe an inch taller and 20lbs heavier. 5'11" 190lbs Benson will be other teams nightmare fuel. Now, last night it was a preseason game. There were about maybe 5-6 NHL regulars in Boston's lineup so it wasn't like Benson was playing a true forward or defensive lineup. That said, Benson played his game. One of the GDT questions that I think is very good to ask is, would Rosen or Kulich be as good with Tage and Skinner? I said no, that Benson wasn't good because he was with Tage and Skinner. Meaning, I do not think Benson was good because Skinner and Tage were making him look good but that Benson was playing exactly how he would play with them or Okposo and Zemgus. There is a surety and maturity to his game that works with anyone he plays with. Now was he perfect last night? No, I remember a "clever" little backhand pass that went straight to a defender. For as good as he can be forechecking there were times where larger players were able to just push him off the puck, although I remember on one of those occasions, Benson just revved his engine higher and took the puck anyways. My point here is should we be thinking about Zach Benson in Buffalo this season? He was not a liability at all last night with Tage and Jeff. He is only going to get better and the NHL is a place that will 100% challenge him. His bump pass to Skinner though and his manipulations of opposing players was on full display, he has the skills and the brain right now to make the jump. Personally, I would send him back to jr. I think he needs to improve his skating speed (he has high end edges but that initial jump needs to improve). I think his shot could also see improvement and the WHL would give him time to work on that as well. Overall he needs about another 5-10lbs of pure muscle to really be able to bounce off or fight through some of the checks and I think the lighter WHL schedule versus the NHL would give him the time to do that. Finally, next year there will be 3 or so forward spots open but JJP, Cozens, Quinn, and Krebs will all have another year of NHL time (and Quinn should be healthy) so it gives us some more mix and match options for guys like Savoie or Benson to get a touch of sheltering when needed. That said... Benson is that dog. He is going to continue to make it harder and harder to justify returning him to the WHL.
