When the Buffalo Sabres drafted Zach Benson 13th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, they knew they were getting a high-skill, high-motor winger. What they might not have expected was just how quickly he’d bring his tenacious brand of hockey to the NHL level — and become one of the most electrifying rookies of the 2024–25 season.
Standing 5-foot-10, But Playing Like He’s 6-foot-4
Let’s get this out of the way: Zach Benson doesn’t look like a typical power forward. But every shift he plays screams heart, grit, and relentless energy. Whether it’s grinding in the corners against defensemen six inches taller, causing net-front chaos after the whistle, or throwing himself in shooting lanes on the penalty kill, Benson brings the heat.
In a league that’s never been faster — and never more unforgiving for rookies — Benson made himself impossible to ignore.
Rookie Year by the Numbers
Games Played: 76
Goals: 17
Assists: 29
Points: 46
Plus/Minus: +8
PK TOI/Game: 1:38
Hits: 112
Fights: 1 (yes, really)
Not only did Benson finish among the top five rookie scorers league-wide, he also carved out a role on Buffalo’s penalty kill — a rare feat for a 19-year-old winger. His hockey IQ, defensive instincts, and work rate made him one of head coach Don Granato’s most trusted young players.
Moments That Made Fans Take Notice
November 18 vs. Toronto: Benson outworked two Maple Leafs in the corner, spun off a check, and fed a no-look pass to Tage Thompson for a game-winning goal. Pure effort, pure skill.
January 11 at Montreal: Down a man, Benson intercepted a pass at the blue line, raced the length of the ice, and buried a shorthanded beauty. It was his second SHG of the year — both unassisted.
March 3 vs. Boston: A post-whistle scrum saw Benson, giving up at least 30 pounds, in the middle of it all — jawing, shoving, and dragging Bruins into the chaos. The building loved it.
Benson’s Role in Buffalo’s Culture Shift
The Sabres might not have clinched a playoff spot this year, but there’s no doubt this team is different — younger, faster, meaner. And Benson embodies that shift. His fearlessness has become contagious in the locker room, and veterans have praised his maturity and compete level.
“He’s a pest — in the best possible way,” said Sabres captain Kyle Okposo. “He never backs down. We needed that.”
Looking Ahead
Zach Benson’s rookie campaign isn’t just something to build on — it’s a message. The Sabres have a cornerstone player who might not tower over opponents physically, but who brings a giant-sized impact to every shift.