Zach Benson
LW BUF
Sun 4/6/25 12:04 AM

Benson posted an assist, three shots on goal and two blocked shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Lightning.
EDGE Analysis
Benson has been limited to three helpers over his last 10 outings since a two-point effort in Detroit on March 12. The 19-year-old is still seeing even-strength minutes on the top line, but he's losing out on power-play time more often late in the season. He's up to 26 points, 106 shots on net, 28 blocked shots, 26 hits, 58 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 68 contests overall.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Wed 3/26/25 12:42 PM

Benson logged an assist and three shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Senators.
EDGE Analysis
Benson ended a four-game point drought, which included one missed game due to an illness. Since returning, the winger has filled a top-line role at even strength, which raises expectations for his offense. He's had a decent season with 10 goals, 14 helpers, 96 shots on net, 54 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 63 outings, but he hasn't shown much growth from his 30-point rookie campaign a year ago. He's still just 19 years old and skipped the AHL, so there's plenty of learning for him to do on the job at the NHL level.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Sat 3/22/25 1:45 PM

Benson (illness) will play Saturday against Minnesota, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Benson will be back in the lineup after he was sidelined in Buffalo's last game Thursday. The 19-year-old winger has 10 goals and 23 points in 60 games this season.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Thu 3/20/25 8:38 PM

Benson (illness) won't play Thursday versus Utah, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Benson has earned four points over his last six games while filling a middle-six role. His absence will likely allow Sam Lafferty to get into the lineup, though Jack Quinn figures to get more ice time. Benson's next chance to play is Saturday at Minnesota.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Thu 3/20/25 2:07 PM

Benson is expected to be a game-time decision Thursday versus Utah because of an illness, per Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.
EDGE Analysis
Coach Lindy Ruff said Benson will probably miss the game, so don't be surprised if he's ultimately scratched. If Benson doesn't play, then Sam Lafferty will likely remain in the lineup. Lafferty is otherwise projected to be a healthy scratch to accommodate the return of JJ Peterka (lower body). The 19-year-old Benson has 10 goals, 23 points and 54 PIM in 60 appearances in 2024-25.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Wed 3/12/25 11:44 PM

Benson produced a power-play goal and an even-strength assist in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Red Wings.
EDGE Analysis
After helping to set up a Josh Norris tally in the final minute of the first period, Benson potted his own goal late in the second. The 19-year-old winger has two multi-point performances in the last four games, but those are his only points since Feb. 25. Benson is getting a look on the Sabres' top line with Norris and Tage Thompson while also seeing second-unit power-play time, but he remains a risky fantasy option despite his talent and upside.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Fri 3/7/25 2:08 AM

Benson put up two assists in a 6-5 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
The slender winger hasn't take a step forward this season, but he hasn't exactly taken a step backward, either. Benson has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) and 82 shots in 55 games after putting up 11 goals, 19 assists and 98 shots in 71 games in 2023-24. Sometimes, the sophomore slump is real. We all need to remember that while he has 126 NHL games on his resume, but he's still just 19 years of age. Benson will be fine, as long as the Sabres continue to allow his game to appropriately marinate.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Sun 2/9/25 12:00 AM

Benson notched an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Predators.
EDGE Analysis
Benson had been limited to one goal over his last eight games. He set up a Rasmus Dahlin tally late in the first period of Saturday's contest. Benson is up to 18 points, 71 shots on net, 21 hits, 34 PIM and a minus-2 rating through 48 appearances. It's a fairly similar pace to what he had in his rookie year -- 11 goals and 19 helpers over 71 contests, so it's unclear if Benson will take much of a step forward after the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Wed 1/29/25 3:18 AM

Benson scored a power-play goal on two shots in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Bruins.
EDGE Analysis
Benson tallied after the Sabres' empty-netter, scoring with 13 seconds left in the blowout win. The 19-year-old slotted in on the fourth line and saw just 10:56 of ice time Tuesday, though 1:56 of it was on the power play. For the season, Benson has nine goals, eight helpers, three power-play points, 66 shots on net, 34 PIM and a minus-3 rating over 44 appearances. If he can't get back into a middle-six role, he'll have minimal fantasy value in redraft formats.

Zach Benson
LW BUF
Fri 1/17/25 11:21 PM

Benson scored a goal on two shots and added a power-play assist in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins.
EDGE Analysis
Benson earned his first multi-point effort since Nov. 29 versus the Canucks. The 19-year-old set up Owen Power's goal in the first period before scoring one of his own in the third. Benson has four goals and an assist over his last 11 outings while seeing steady middle-six minutes. Overall, the winger has 16 points (two on the power play), 58 shots on net, 32 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 39 appearances.