Sabres First-Round Pick Staying with Team

Zach Benson will remain with the Buffalo Sabres for his 10th NHL game, starting the first year of his entry-level contract, which would have been pushed to next year if he had been sent down to the WHL, and he has scored his first NHL goal after returning from injury.

– Zach Benson will remain with the Buffalo Sabres for his 10th NHL game, kicking off the first year of his NHL entry-level contract
‣ Had Benson been sent down to the WHL, the first year of his deal would have been pushed to next year instead
‣ Drafted 13th overall by the Sabres in 2023, Benson scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday with a between-the-legs move


The Buffalo Sabres have made an exciting announcement for their upcoming game on Friday – forward Zach Benson will be staying with the club for his 10th NHL game, marking the beginning of his first year under his NHL entry-level contract. This is a significant decision as it affects the timeline for when the team will need to sign him to an extension. If Benson had been sent down to the WHL, the first year of his deal would have been delayed to the following year, giving the team an extra year before having to negotiate an extension.

Drafted 13th overall by the Sabres in 2023, Benson has been making a strong impression in his first few NHL games. He recently scored his first NHL goal with an impressive between-the-legs move, earning his third point in three games after returning from an injury that caused him to miss seven games. Additionally, he also missed two games in October, which has contributed to his low game count in the early stages of his career.

Benson’s performance on the ice has been turning heads, and his perseverance through injuries is a testament to his dedication and talent as a young player in the NHL. It’s clear that he has the potential to make a significant impact on the team in the years to come, and the decision to keep him for his 10th game reflects the confidence that the organization has in his abilities.

The Sabres’ decision to keep Benson with the team for his 10th NHL game is a strategic move that not only allows him to gain valuable experience at the professional level but also impacts the timeline for his contract negotiations in the future. With his impressive skills and determination, Benson is poised to become an integral part of the Sabres’ lineup, and fans can look forward to seeing more of his exciting performances on the ice as he continues to make his mark in the NHL.

Alex Thompson
Alex Thompson
Alex Thompson is a Senior Writer for HockeyMonitor. With a background in Sports Media, Alex joined the team in 2022. He focuses on providing the latest hockey news, game scores, and fresh NHL trade rumors.

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