Sabres Make Big Decision on 1st-Rounder Zach Benson

Zach Benson is just 18 years old, but the 2023 first-rounder has made quite the impression in his first nine NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres—which left the team with a big decision to make today, as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Penguins. Would they keep Benson for his 10th game and officially start the clock on his entry-level contract? 

Benson has revealed the team's answer:

Zach Benson will be in the lineup tonight. 👊#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/EwihDbPoOs

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 24, 2023

"I just talked to Kevyn briefly," said Benson. "He kind of let me know that I'll be playing my 10th game tonight and, you know, just keep getting better every day, that's the goal. My main focus is on tonight and how I can play my best game to help this team try to win a hockey game."

He has three points in three games since rejoining the lineup last week, and now has five points in nine games overall (one goal, four assists), while playing an average of 13:46 per night (though he played a season-high 17 minutes in their last game, Wednesday night). 

Benson was once again skating on the second line at Friday morning's practice with Casey Mittelstadt and JJ Peterka. That trio scored twice in that last game, including the rookie's first NHL goal.

With Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn still on the sidelines, keeping Benson right now with the way he's played became an easy choice.

Selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the first year of Benson's three-year entry-level contract is now officially official. He earns a $1.6M AAV (with a cap hit of $950,000).

Benson is in elite company as just the fourth first-rounder from the 2023 Draft to be currently playing in the NHL this season, as he joins top 3 picks Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson, and Adam Fantilli.

Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports