Rd 1, Pick 13: Zach Benson

[Carmel Corn]

So I guess the next question I am wondering is.....is GMKA done tonight (or not)?

[bob_sauve28]

Just now, SDS said:

Did you want something different with the 13th pick? Maybe an Andrew Peters type?

I wanted a hockey player and we got one. What did you want, a wide receiver? 

[Brawndo]

 

[DarthEbriate]

I get it. It's a good pick based on compete and hockey IQ and skill. It's just that he makes Savoie obsolete. Benson is better than Savoie.

They were paired together in the WHL Final and were overpowered by good defense and their contemporary WHLers in Seattle. And if you've got two top-13 NHL Draft picks on the same WHL line... they shouldn't disappear for entire games in the Final.

[rickshaw]

Sportsnet broadcast raving about the pick. 
 

love LOVE how happy he was!

Edited June 29, 2023 by rickshaw

[Eleven]

Just now, DarthEbriate said:

It's just that he makes Savoie obsolete.

Or "tradeable," if you're correct.

[Rasmus_]

Good BPA available pick.  Really wanted Simashev or Willander, but I'll always take this type of talent.  Teammate of Matthew Savoie. 

[Sabres73]

He comes from a family of carnies - interesting. I'm going on record for liking this kid after seeing a few highlights. And he played on the same line as Savoie, so that factors in.

[Brawndo]

 

[Crusader1969]

Would have loved some size but the reality is you take skill over size in round 1.  
much easier to find 3rd and 4th line guys than guys who can be effective as a line 1 or 2. 
 

[Randall Flagg]

SDS unlock the other thread jeez

[Thorner]

3 minutes ago, Eleven said:

I'm not going to crap on this kid.  I'm going to root for him.

But part of "thou shalt not block young talent" includes not putting the young talent behind blocks to begin with! Benson is behind about 10 other young guys.  I suppose the Sabres can trade one or two of them now. 

Totally. People should be more ok with a trade to supplement the “now “ roster because of this  

[Crusader1969]

3 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

I get it. It's a good pick based on compete and hockey IQ and skill. It's just that he makes Savoie obsolete. Benson is better than Savoie.

They were paired together in the WHL Final and were overpowered by good defense and their contemporary WHLers in Seattle. And if you've got two top-13 NHL Draft picks on the same WHL line... they shouldn't disappear for entire games in the Final.

Did you watch the games ? Just curious 

[Scottysabres]

5'9", but skill? Danny Briere clone?

Edited June 29, 2023 by Scottysabres

[Brawndo]

 

[GoPuckYourself]

3 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

I get it. It's a good pick based on compete and hockey IQ and skill. It's just that he makes Savoie obsolete. Benson is better than Savoie.

They were paired together in the WHL Final and were overpowered by good defense and their contemporary WHLers in Seattle. And if you've got two top-13 NHL Draft picks on the same WHL line... they shouldn't disappear for entire games in the Final.

The thing is they may not be paired together, like some poster said this could be a Jeff Skinner replacement down the road. 

[Huckleberry]

Jesus where will we put all these guys ? 🙂

 

 

[Crusader1969]

1 minute ago, Thorny said:

Totally. People should be more ok with a trade to supplement the “now “ roster because of this  

Who doesn’t want to see a trade ? 

[HumanSlinky39]

"best defensive forward in the draft."

That's of note.

[Crusader1969]

Just now, Huckleberry said:

Jesus where will we put all these guys ? 🙂

 

 

Good problems 

[Brawndo]

The only time it’s ok to agree with Bader 

 

 

[bob_sauve28]

Just now, Huckleberry said:

Jesus where will we put all these guys ? 🙂

 

 

In thinking how long it took Casey to develop, my guess is in Rochester for awhile and then trades 

[Crusader1969]

5 minutes ago, Eleven said:

Or "tradeable," if you're correct.

Sorry, is there a rule that you can’t have 2 guys under 5’10 on your team? 

[HumanSlinky39]

2 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

Jesus where will we put all these guys ? 🙂

 

 

[Curt]

Half of the rankings out there have this kid in the 5-8 range.

He isn’t big, but at 5’10” 170 he isn’t that small.  He doesn’t play small either, putting in great two way effort.  Very good skater but not a burner.  Could gain explosiveness in that skating as he puts on muscle.  One of the smartest and most skilled players in this draft.  He is immediately our top prospect not in the NHL.

From my point of view, getting this guy in the system makes some of these other smaller forward prospects expendable, especially Rosen and Östlund.