Buffalo Sabers 2024 Player Report Card: Zach Benson

The Sabers forward had a good rookie year.

Total season stats: 19-11-30 in 71 matches played

Age: 19

Contract status: Signed through 2026 for $950,000 AAV, RFA at end of 2025-26 season

Left winger Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabers performed quite well for a rookie forward, scoring 11 goals, 19 assists and 30 points in his first year in the NHL. In comparison, Buffalo’s other left wingers’ stats in their first NHL season are mostly lower than No. 9’s.

Zemgus Girgensons went 8-14-22 in his first year in Buffalo, while Victor Olofsson’s stats were 2-2-4. Eric Robinson and Jordan Greenway did not score a goal while playing for Columbus and Minnesota, respectively. Jeff Skinner is the lone exception of the group, with 31 goals, 32 assists and 63 points for Carolina in its inaugural season.

Benson came on from the start in his first game as a Saber against the Washington Capitals on November 22, 2023, putting the puck on the roof with a quick shot between his legs to give Buffalo a 2-0 lead.

Another of the number 9’s best performances over the past year came on December 15 against 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 for Buffalo.

Benson wasn’t finished yet. Less than two minutes later, he turned the puck over and served to Tuch, who beat Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson with a wrist shot to give the Sabers a 4-2 lead.

Of course, Benson could have done better this season. There is always room for improvement. All things considered, though, he did pretty well for a new player. While Benson is not the best forward the Blue and Gold have ever drafted, he has shown skill and ability and will hopefully continue to improve each year he is on Buffalo’s roster.

Season rating: B+