Sabres’ Zach Benson activated from IR, expected to return against Lightning
The Buffalo Sabres are getting one their most promising young forwards back into the lineup.
Winger Zach Benson has been activated off of injured reserve and is expected to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
Zach Benson has been activated from injured reserve, per the NHL Media site. Anton Wahlberg is no longer listed on the roster; per the AHL Transactions page, he's been sent back to Rochester.
In a corresponding move, center Anton Wahlberg has been sent down to the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
Benson, 20, has missed 17 games this season while dealing with an upper-body injury. In 42 games played this season, he has seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points.
Selected 13th overall out of the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice by the Sabres in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Benson made Buffalo’s roster in his first post-draft season, putting up 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points over 71 games in 2023-24. Last season, the Chilliwack, B.C. native registered 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points in 75 games.
Wahlberg, 20, was called up to Buffalo on Wednesday, likely as insurance against center Tage Thompson, who had just won an Olympic gold medal with the United States’ men’s national team, not being able to play in the Sabres’ first game following the Olympic break. Wahlberg never did see any NHL action during his call up.
In 47 games with Rochester this season, the Swedish national has six goals and 19 assists for 25 points. Wahlberg was Buffalo’s second pick after Benson in the 2023 Draft, taken 39th overall.
The Sabres are one of the NHL’s most surprising stories. After a difficult start to their season, which saw them fire general manager Kevyn Adams, they have had the NHL’s best record since December 1st, going 24-8-2 and putting themselves in position for their first postseason berth since 2011.
After visiting the Lightning on Saturday, Buffalo will return home to face the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.