Despite the Sabres’ rough start this season, there’s still plenty to be optimistic about. Tage Thompson has been lighting the lamp with impressive consistency, and Owen Power continues to show growth, improving with each game. This team has the pieces to turn things around—it’s just a matter of putting it all together.
Both Tage Thompson and Owen Power have been stellar this season, but they’re not the only ones making waves in blue and gold (and occasionally black and red). JJ Peterka, Alex Tuch, and Jason Zucker have all brought plenty of excitement, while Ryan McLeod’s contributions shouldn’t be overlooked either. This lineup has no shortage of entertaining players worth keeping an eye on.
On the flip side, some players have had a tough start, and winger Zach Benson has certainly been one of them. It took what felt like forever for him to register his first point, but he finally broke through just over a week ago against the NY Rangers, tallying a goal and an assist. Since then, he’s found his stride, scoring two more goals and bringing his total to four points in as many games. It’s been a slow start, but he seems to be gaining momentum.
Sabres winger Zach Benson is making his on-ice presence known
A clear trend has emerged with Zach Benson over the past four games: he’s been more aggressive in getting shots on net, registering eight shots during that stretch. In contrast, he had just eight shots in his first seven games, averaging a little over one per contest. The takeaway here is simple—when Benson is actively firing pucks at the net, the Sabres seem to find a way to score more goals. It’s a sign he’s settling into his game and becoming more impactful offensively.
You can argue it’s a small sample size, but I’m not buying it. Zach Benson’s production has been leagues better since returning from injury, and he’s finally starting to show the potential he hinted at toward the end of his rookie season this past April. The improvements are noticeable, and it’s clear he’s starting to find his rhythm. This is the kind of momentum the Sabres need from him moving forward.
Now, the key challenge for Zach Benson is finding that consistency. If he can maintain his current level of play, there’s a good chance he’ll blow past the 30-point mark he hit last season in 71 games. In fact, if his current pace holds, Benson could nearly double his goal total from last year (11). Based on his current trajectory, if you project his scoring over 76 games, he’s on track to score between 20 and 21 goals by season’s end. It’s an exciting outlook if he can keep it up.
Keep a close eye on Zach Benson when you watch the Sabres, as it looks like the tide is finally turning for the 19-year-old after a tough start. He’s definitely earned your attention on the ice, and it’s clear he’s starting to show the promise he’s capable of. Benson’s progress is something worth watching closely as the season unfolds.
