Sabres’ forward had a decent rookie year.
Total Season Stats: 11-19-30 in 71 games played
Age: 19
Contract Status: Signed through 2026 at $950,000 AAV, RFA at the end of the 2025-26 season
Buffalo Sabres’ LW Zach Benson performed fairly well for a rookie forward, scoring 11 goals, 19 assists and 30 points in his first NHL year. By comparison, the stats for Buffalo’s other left wingers their first NHL season are mostly below No. 9’s numbers.
Zemgus Girgensons enjoyed an 8-14-22 record his rookie year in Buffalo, while Victor Olofsson’s stats were 2-2-4. Eric Robinson and Jordan Greenway had no goals at all playing for Columbus and Minnesota, respectively. Jeff Skinner is the only outlier in the group, getting 31 goals, 32 assists and 63 points for Carolina his inaugural season.
Benson came charging right out of the gate in his first game as a Sabre against the Washington Capitals on Nov. 22, 2023, roofing the puck with a quick shot between his legs to give Buffalo a 2-0 lead.
Another one of No. 9’s best performances this past year was on Dec. 15 versus the Las Vegas Golden Knights. With the score tied 2-2 midway through the third period, Alex Tuch passed the puck to Benson, who backhanded it into the Knights’ net to make it 3-2 Buffalo.
Benson wasn’t finished yet. Less than two minutes later, he turned over the puck and set up Tuch, who beat Vegas goalie Logan Thompson with a wrister to give the Sabres a 4-2 lead.
Of course, Benson could have performed better this season. There’s always room for improvement. All things considered, though, he did pretty well for a new player. While Benson isn’t the best forward the Blue and Gold have ever drafted, he’s shown skill and ability and will hopefully continue to advance each year he’s on Buffalo’s roster.
Season Grade: B+