Sabres’ Zach Benson is the perfect blueprint for what a smaller NHLer should be

May 8, 2026, 12:27 EDT

Sabres’ Zach Benson is the perfect blueprint for what a smaller NHLer should be

Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

BUFFALO – “We wish we took him.”

That’s what one scout texted after watching Benson score a goal and an assist to help eliminate the Boston Bruins on May 1. He had another two assists in the first game against Montreal for good measure, to which the same scout said, “F—, he’s good.”

Benson was selected 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2023 NHL Draft (Daily Faceoff had him ranked sixth). Benson has registered 101 points since then, highlighted by a 43-point campaign in 2025-26. There are the obvious stars from that draft, including Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson, and Adam Fantilli. But if you combine the production of David Reinbacher, Dmitri Simashev, Ryan Leonard, Nate Danielson, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Tom Willander taken before him, that’s just 104 points – two more than Benson’s career total.

Benson forced his way into the NHL right out of the gate. Despite scouts being concerned about his 5-foot-10 frame, Benson made the Sabres out of training camp and has never looked back. No additional trips back to junior, no stints with the Rochester Americans. Nothing. Benson has been a full-time NHLer ever since, and he’s absolutely thriving right now.

It’s hard not to be engulfed in Benson mania right now. Even hours before Game 2 in Montreal, it wasn’t hard to spot No. 6 and No. 9 Benson jerseys around the KeyBank Center.

“It’s truly unbelievable,” Benson said. “This is one of the best hockey cities in the world, and it’s so electric right now, and it’s so fun to play in front of our fans every night and play the way we are. Truly, the one word I would use is unbelievable.

It’s not the offense that excites fans. Sure, the 43 points were nice, but he was eighth on the Sabres in regular season scoring. He’s been productive during the postseason, too, but he’s still sixth on the team.

Instead, it’s the tenacious, bulldog attitude that makes him an absolute menace. Like Brad Marchand, Mats Zuccarello and (peak) Brendan Gallagher before him, Benson’s fearless nature makes him one of the most difficult players to play against right now. In the playoffs, that goes such a long way.

Benson was never one to shy away from physical play. There’s no shortage of small, high-scoring players in junior hockey. Benson had 36 goals and 98 points in his draft season, but he also had 49 points and had no shortage of tough battles in front of the net at both ends of the ice. Benson continued to show no regard for his own life early in his career, and it’s one of the biggest reasons he managed to make the jump to the big leagues right away, despite a frame that doesn’t lend itself well to NHL success.

“He’s hard to play against,” coach Lindy Ruff said earlier in the series. “There’s the pest that’s real annoying. I think he’s a real hard player to play against. He plays the game the right way, has the puck a lot. He can score. He’s annoying because he gets to the net all the time. He gets to the puck. He’s the first touch. If he’s not on first touch, he’s all over you trying to get it back. You know, and then he’s got that kind of smirk on his face that irritates you as an opposition player. It makes me smile, but I think it annoys other people.”

Benson set new career-highs in so many categories this year. His 13 goals, 30 assists, 43 points, 11.3 shooting percentage, 1.8 shots per game and 40 hits were by far the most of his career. He also saw more time on the power play and the penalty kill, something you don’t see often from a 20-year-old. And that’s the crazy thing – he’s in his third season already, with so much more runway to grow his game.

Benson missed 17 games due to various injuries this season, but had an 82-game pace of 54 points. And who knows how much those injuries lingered? Could 60 points have been a realistic goal this year?

For so long, scouts wanted smaller players to be a bit more like Brayden Point – a skilled forward who dominated the puck possession game and beat opponents with skill. He was drafted as a 5-foot-9 forward, but has grown to about 5-foot-11 now. But for those who don’t have late growth spurts, they have to find other ways to stay relevant, especially as we continue to see bigger, stronger players displaying more raw skill these days (Tage Thompson, anyone?).

If you’re small and you can’t skate, you’re doomed. Benson is a fine skater, but he makes up for any speed deficiencies by having a nonstop motor. Hockey IQ is critical, too, and Benson was described as one of the smartest forwards in his draft class – along the lines of Bedard. But now, scouts want smaller guys to hit and agitate, and Benson is an absolute monster in that area.

Through seven games, Benson leads all playoff performers (with at least three games played) with 5.13 penalties drawn per 60. He’s also 13th in penalties taken at 3.42, so we know the refs are keeping a close eye. If you see Charlie McAvoy this summer, ask him how he feels about Benson.

“He’s absolutely relentless on the forecheck,” one scout said. “(Benson) uses his stick as a weapon for chaos. He’s always lifting sticks, hacking at gloves, and generating hate. He’s the type of player who finishes every check because he wants opponents to know he’s there.”

The 176-pound Benson loves hanging out around the net. Nothing seems to faze him, even if it means squaring off with Nikita Zadorov (6-foot-7, 257 pounds) or Arber Xhekaj (6-foot-4 and 240 pounds). A lot of smaller forwards fall flat before they hit the NHL because they’re not willing to get overly physical and battle much stronger opponents. But Benson doesn’t seem to care who he’s up against.

“He’s brave, I’ll give him that,” another scout added.

Benson’s play style is something high-level coaches have started to embrace and teach younger players coming through the ranks.

“He’s the blueprint for the successful small forward in the NHL,” a scout said. “‘Be like Benson,’ I’ll tell guys. Become versatile, make sure your coach has no reason but to keep playing.”

If the Sabres are going to go deep, you know Benson will be a big reason why. The Chilliwack, British Columbia native is embracing the culture and the excitement the team brings to one of the proudest hockey markets in the world. He has never experienced Stanley Cup playoff hockey before, yet he’s one of the biggest talking points every single night. From the offense to the pest-like nature, it’s hard not to talk about Zach Benson right now.

“It’s been fun, the team’s doing well,” Benson said. “You’ll be walking down the aisle at the grocery story and kids will be freaking out. That’s the coolest part, because I remember being that age and chasing after guys.”

He’s still chasing after guys – but now, they’re trying to chase him back. And they’re pissed off.

SPONSORED BY bet365

Recent Articles by Steven Ellis

MORE FACEOFF.IN YOUR INBOX.

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER