Zach Benson - “There’s a time and place to cross-check someone in the head”

[inkman]

Who was the last Sabre to think this way?  Pat Kaleta I guess.  Except this kid can actually play.  

[dudacek]

40 minutes ago, inkman said:

Who was the last Sabre to think this way?  Pat Kaleta I guess.  Except this kid can actually play.  

If he starts showing half the offence he did as a junior, he could become a Sabre legend.

He's got the game this fanbase has been craving for decades.

[krakensabr56390]

He can be our Brad Marchand 

[clink]

I LOVE this kid!!!! 

[Pimlach]

5 hours ago, inkman said:

Who was the last Sabre to think this way?  Pat Kaleta I guess.  Except this kid can actually play.  

Danny Gare without the deadly wrist shot.  Gare could throw’em too.  

[JohnC]

37 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Danny Gare without the deadly wrist shot.  Gare could throw’em too.  

I have underestimated his ability to play on a top two line because I thought he was limited offensively. I'm slowly but steadily altering my position on him because he has demonstrated albeit in an early stage that he can improve offensively. It will come when he gets stronger. He has more offensive upside than I originally thought. My hope is that players like Quinn, JJP, Kulich and Power continue on an upward trajectory. The GM and franchise are counting/betting on it. In addition, although it is still very early to make a judgment, I'm impressed with Östlund's mature play in the little that I have seen of him.

[LGR4GM]

14 hours ago, inkman said:

Who was the last Sabre to think this way?  Pat Kaleta I guess.  Except this kid can actually play.  

This coaching staff is terrible. Instead of telling Benson to tone it down they should be telling everyone else to turn it up. 

[bob_sauve28]

Crazy how well he is playing with TNT. So he kills penalties, gets PP time and is on the top line and is only a kid. 

And he will get better. 👍

[JP51]

18 hours ago, inkman said:

Who was the last Sabre to think this way?  Pat Kaleta I guess.  Except this kid can actually play.  

Usually when we have these types we trade them away or let them go, Zadorov, Kassian, Foligno, Kane, Carrier, DesLauries, Lemueix, Barnaby, Ott  etc... not that they were all of them all that... but their play doesnt seem to be a priority... we like em Big and soft... Like Power and Muel and Wilson, and Krupp and Myers etc...  or little and figure skating... 

[Doohickie]

15 hours ago, krakensabr56390 said:

He can be our Brad Marchand 

The Little Rat.  It sez so right in the tweet.

[Doohickie]

14 hours ago, JohnC said:

I'm impressed with Östlund's mature play

He was virtually unnoticeable to me at first, but in the game against the Canes I saw a lot of good defensive work, and a couple of close calls in terms of scoring.  With any improvement in wingers he'll score bunches.

He also doesn't have Reinhart Syndrome, as in doesn't get knocked off his feet much.  Reino was awful about that early on; Östlund seems to be able to take a hit without crumbling.

Edited Wednesday at 05:49 PM by Doohickie

[thewookie1]

1 minute ago, Doohickie said:

He was virtually unnoticeable to me at first, but in the game against the Canes I saw a lot of good defensive work, and a couple of close calls in terms of scoring.  With any improvement in wingers he'll score bunches.

Most notable was in the 3rd Dahlin tried to jump up on a play and Östlund not only covered for him but angled the Carolina player into the boards to force a slow attack allowing Dahlin to easily get back to his proper location.

[JohnC]

36 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

He was virtually unnoticeable to me at first, but in the game against the Canes I saw a lot of good defensive work, and a couple of close calls in terms of scoring.  With any improvement in wingers he'll score bunches.

He also doesn't have Reinhart Syndrome, as in doesn't get knocked off his feet much.  Reino was awful about that early on; Östlund seems to be able to take a hit without crumbling.

Sometimes being unnoticeable is not a bad thing for young players. That indicates that he is not a glaring liability, especially in the defensive zone. Would it be better for him to play another year in the AHL and given more time to physically develop? My position for all players is that you earn your spot and role. No more of this "not blocking" and rushing prospects before they are ready.  If he shines in camp and outperforms other roster candidates, then he will have earned the right to secure a roster spot. 

Next year, Norris and Greenway should be back and ready to go. The talent pool is increasing enabling us to handle injuries better and create more internal competition. That's a good thing. 

 

[Doohickie]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

internal competition

I think about the current situation with Kozak versus Östlund.  Kozak has put in his time and I think he is NHL or at least tweener material, and more time in the A isn't going to improve him too much more.  But he tops out as a 4C, at very best a 3C (doubtful).  Östlund has developed all season and was promoted because he earned it when Kozak went down.  In the depth chart down the road, Östlund almost certainly tops out over Kozak.  But at the beginning of the season, Kozak slotted higher than Östlund (which is why he was called up first).  In terms of internal competition, I would say Östlund is ahead of Kozak with a very small sample size, but I also think Östlund may benefit from a little more time in the AHL.

It's an interesting case study.

[HumanSlinky39]

Our Little Ball of Mischief.

[PerreaultForever]

20 hours ago, krakensabr56390 said:

He can be our Brad Marchand 

I've said this from the beginning. He could potentially be that guy. Maybe not that far but it's possible and I certainly wouldn't try to take it out of him. We need more guys who play nasty and on the edge. 

[Drag0nDan]

20 hours ago, Doohickie said:

I think about the current situation with Kozak versus Östlund.  Kozak has put in his time and I think he is NHL or at least tweener material, and more time in the A isn't going to improve him too much more.  But he tops out as a 4C, at very best a 3C (doubtful).  Östlund has developed all season and was promoted because he earned it when Kozak went down.  In the depth chart down the road, Östlund almost certainly tops out over Kozak.  But at the beginning of the season, Kozak slotted higher than Östlund (which is why he was called up first).  In terms of internal competition, I would say Östlund is ahead of Kozak with a very small sample size, but I also think Östlund may benefit from a little more time in the AHL.

It's an interesting case study.

Östlund could probably use another year in the A imo - something closer to 100 games with some IR call-ups would make more sense to have him in position to snag a roster spot going into 26-27.  

[North Buffalo]

Not sure about Östlund he is not far away but still seems a little timid on offense, not along the boards but in finding his shot or maybe just deferring too much... but you can see the skill... 

As far as Benson goes he has skill and moves and is getting pestier as he goes along... off season strengthening program should do him wonders... 

[Pimlach]

44 minutes ago, North Buffalo said:

Not sure about Östlund he is not far away but still seems a little timid on offense, not along the boards but in finding his shot or maybe just deferring too much... but you can see the skill... 

As far as Benson goes he has skill and moves and is getting pestier as he goes along... off season strengthening program should do him wonders... 

When Benson gets stronger, and he will, he could be an impact player.  
 

Östlund is very promising.  He should cook in the AHL another year longer though.  

 

Edited Friday at 12:38 AM by Pimlach