Benson will play in his 10th game of the season Friday versus Pittsburgh, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
The Sabres are burning the first season of Benson's entry-level contract, as the diminutive forward has been productive in his role on the second line of late. Benson has a goal and five points in nine games and will line up alongside Casey Mittelstadt and John-Jason Peterka, as well as seeing second unit power-play time.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Dazzles with first NHL goal
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Benson scored a goal Wednesday in a 4-3 overtime loss to Washington.
It was a highlight-reel goal and a great way to mark his first career NHL snipe. Benson took a pass in the bottom of the left circle from Victor Olofsson, skated into the slot and put the puck between his legs before roofing from behind his body past Darcy Kuemper. Benson (18 years, 194 days) became the fourth-youngest player in franchise history at the time of his first snipe. He's behind Pierre Turgeon, Rasmus Dahlin and Nikita Zadorov.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Back in lineup Friday
Rotowire
Benson (lower body) was taken off injured reserve and is expected to play Friday in Winnipeg, according to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.
This will be Benson's seventh game of the season. Buffalo coach Don Granato wants to see how productive he can be over the next three games before deciding whether to burn a year on Benson's entry-level contract or to send him back to the WHL before his 10th game. Benson has two assists thus far. He will replace Lukas Rousek in the lineup.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Nabs helper in return
Rotowire
Benson logged an assist, two hits and two PIM in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Jets.
Benson saw 14:43 of ice time in a second-line role in his return from a lower-body injury that cost him seven contests. The helper was his first point since a two-assist game Oct. 14 versus the Islanders. The 18-year-old has three helpers, seven shots on net, eight PIM and a minus-1 rating through seven outings. Benson has two more games to make a strong impression before the Sabres have to decide if he's going back to WHL Wenatchee or staying in the NHL with the first year of his entry-level contract active.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Expected to play during road trip
Rotowire
Benson (lower body) has a "good chance" to play during the Sabres' upcoming three-game road trip according to coach Don Granato, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports Wednesday.
Benson will need to be activated off injured reserve before he can suit up for the Sabres, a move that will almost certainly be offset by placing Tage Thompson (upper body) on IR. In six games this season, the 18-year-old Benson has garnered two assists, six shots and six PIM while averaging 13:17 of ice time.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Placed on injured reserve
Rotowire
The Sabres put Benson (lower body) on injured reserve Friday, Sabres insider Joe Yerdon reports.
Benson is week-to-week at this time. The 18-year-old, who was selected 13th overall in the 2023 Draft, has picked up two assists in six games with the Sabres this season. Don't be surprised if Buffalo sends Benson to the WHL when he is ready to return.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Considered week-to-week
Rotowire
Benson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
With Zach Benson facing an extended absence, the recently recalled Brandon Biro could get an opportunity to fill a top-six role for the foreseeable future. Benson, who's picked up two helpers through six contests this season, could land on injured reserve in the coming days.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Back in lineup Tuesday
Rotowire
Benson (lower body) will return to the lineup Tuesday versus the Senators, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Benson will return after a two-game absence, bumping Tyson Jost from the lineup. The 18-year-old Benson has produced two assists and four shots on goal over four games while filling a bottom-six role to begin his NHL career.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Not playing Monday
Rotowire
Benson (lower body) won't play Monday against the Canadiens, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Benson will sit out a second straight game after being injured in a 4-3 loss to Calgary on Thursday. However, he could be an option for Tuesday's contest against Ottawa. The 18-year-old forward has two assists and four shots on goal through four outings this campaign.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Unavailable Saturday
Rotowire
Benson (lower body) won't play Saturday against the Islanders, Jourdon LaBarber of the Sabres' official site reports.
Benson is still dealing with some soreness, so he will be held out of the lineup as a precaution. The 18-year-old forward has two assists and four shots on goal in four games this season.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Practicing Saturday
Rotowire
Per Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald, Benson (lower-body) returned to practice Saturday.
Benson was unavailable Friday after he was injured during Thursday's 4-3 loss to Calgary. The 18-year-old has two assists in four games this season. Benson was selected 13th overall in the 2023 Draft and is averaging 14:13 of ice time, including 1:22 on the power play.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Suffers lower-body injury
Rotowire
Benson is day-to-day after suffering a lower-body injury in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Calgary.
The rookie missed practice Friday, Benson has a pair of assists in four games this season after scoring 36 goals and adding 62 assists in 60 games for WHL Winnipeg. The diminutive first-round forward is an offensive dynamo who will have plenty of fantasy value in the coming years.
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Sabres' Zach Benson: Gets first two NHL points
Rotowire
Benson registered two assists in Buffalo's 3-2 loss to the Islanders on Saturday.
It was Benson's first two points in his second career game. He logged 15:16 of ice time Saturday after getting 14:27 in his NHL debut Thursday. Benson, who was taken with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, scored 36 goals and 98 points in 60 WHL outings with Winnipeg in 2022-23.
