The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. It was a combination of staff writers and over 200 readers that ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2024. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player. Staff votes counted equally with reader votes.
Zach Benson
Drafted: 2023 – 1st Round (13th Overall)
Position: Left Wing
Born: May 12, 2005 – 19 Years Old
2023-2024 Stats: Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 11-19-30 in 71 GP
2023 T25U25 Ranking: 10
Zach Benson surprised many with a strong training camp last fall. He continued to impress as he forced the Sabres to keep him on the NHL roster and in the lineup as an 18-year-old rookie. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches, he is one of the smallest players in the organization, but he has a chance to make a massive impact in the years to come.
What Benson lacks in size and straight-line speed, he more than makes up for with his skill and hockey sense. His ability to process the game quickly allows him to recognize opportunities and manipulate defenses to create scoring chances for his teammates. His patience and poise with the puck allow him to wait until the right moment to strike, typically setting someone up for a scoring chance.
One weakness in his game that may correct itself in the long-term is his shot. As with many players his age, his shot isn’t strong enough to beat goaltenders clean. However, he found success last season by going to the front of the net. Many of his goals were off tips and rebounds. He did flash his elite hands on a beauty of a first career goal:
One aspect of Benson’s game that can go unnoticed is how aggressive he is when battling for the puck. He has elite edgework and excellent body control. This allows him to be strong on pucks and use his leverage to create turnovers. However, this style of play did cause him to spend some significant time in the box. He was ninth on the team in total penalty minutes (eighth if you take out fighting majors). Some were obviously deserved, but others can only be described as a “Rookie Tax.”
Benson was an impact player most nights while playing a middle-six role for Buffalo. With the buyout of Jeff Skinner, look for him to be a fixture in the top-six this upcoming season. He has already proven to be a key piece for Buffalo going forward. He can put pressure on management to lock him up long-term if he shows significant improvement from his impressive rookie season.
2024 Buffalo Sabres Top 25 Under 25
#25: Adam Kleber
#24: Tyson Kozak
#23: Maxim Štrbák
#22: Prokhor Poltapov
#21: Aleksandr Kisakov
#20: Viktor Neuchev
#19: Vsevolod Komarov
#18: Nikita Novikov
#17: Anton Wahlberg
#16 Isak Rosén
#15 Peyton Krebs
#14: Noah Östlund
#13: Konsta Helenius
#12: Ryan Johnson
#11: Ryan McLeod
#10: Mattias Samuelsson
#9: Jiri Kulich
#8: Devon Levi