'“As we were going through our scouting meetings, every single scout that had watched him over the course of basically the last two years,” said Adams, “said they just generally walked away from the game saying he was the best player on the ice.”' … [Read more...] about Kevyn Adams high on Sabres draft pick Zach Benson
Archives for June 2023
Sabres add size, defense depth to prospect pool on Day 2
'"I'll say exactly what I said before," Adams said. "I don't get obsessed with size, and this was not in any way planned, saying, 'OK, we're going with these big guys.' ' … [Read more...] about Sabres add size, defense depth to prospect pool on Day 2
Quinn to miss time after undergoing surgery to repair Achilles tendon
'"It was tough news obviously to get for Jack, first of all, and us. He's a really important player in our lineup," Adams said. "…He'll come back better and stronger than ever. It's adversity; it's a bump in the road for him. But with the type of mindset he has, I have no worries about how he'll come out the other side of it."' … [Read more...] about Quinn to miss time after undergoing surgery to repair Achilles tendon
Friday's Rochester Coverage
Rochester Americans sign pair of prospects to AHL contracts (WHEC-TV) Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams sheds light on Seth Appert’s future with Rochester Americans (WHEC-TV) Amerks sign Fiddler-Schultz, Savoie to AHL deals (Amerks.com) Malcolm Subban: Season in review (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Rochester Coverage
Zach Benson 'super stoked' to become Sabres' first-round pick in Nashville
'The Sabres have watched Benson for two years. Their staff scouted the Ice in-person and poured through video leading up to the 2022 draft because they were deciding if Savoie would be their selection at ninth overall. The Ice’s coach, James Patrick, spent six of his 21 NHL seasons as a defenseman with the Sabres, and he was on the team’s coaching staff with Adams from 2011-13. … [Read more...] about Zach Benson ‘super stoked’ to become Sabres’ first-round pick in Nashville
Five things about Sabres' first-round pick Zach Benson, and that includes the carnivals
'Don’t discount Benson because of his size: Benson is listed at 5-foot-10 and approximately 165 pounds, but his stat lines from the WHL show he can be a playmaker. Jason Bukala of Sportsnet described Benson as “dynamic” on the power play from the weak side wing. Of his 62 assists in the regular season, 16 were on the power play. He added four power-play goals, too.' … [Read more...] about Five things about Sabres’ first-round pick Zach Benson, and that includes the carnivals
Mike Harrington: Don't worry about size. Be happy about the talent level of Sabres' draft choices
'You say Benson is too small at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, and I remind you that’s what the entire NHL thought when Alex DeBrincat fell to the 39th pick in 2016 in Buffalo. The thinking goes the only reason DeBrincat looked so good in junior was because he played in Erie with Connor McDavid. Pretty invalid. And remember how Cole Caufield fell to Montreal at No. 15 three years … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Don’t worry about size. Be happy about the talent level of Sabres’ draft choices
NHL Draft: In Zach Benson, Sabres add aggressive, dynamic junior star
'Benson, the 13th overall pick at Wednesday’s NHL Draft, formed half of a lethal duo with Sabres center prospect Matt Savoie last season, combining for a whopping 74 goals goals and 193 points. As a 15-year-old Western Hockey League rookie in 2020-21, he learned the rigors of junior from Sabres center Peyton Krebs.' … [Read more...] about NHL Draft: In Zach Benson, Sabres add aggressive, dynamic junior star
Sabres notes: NHL teams reluctant to trade top-10 draft picks
'This year, no trades were made in the entire first round.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: NHL teams reluctant to trade top-10 draft picks
It’s a heist
'However, it’s not just about the points with Benson, it’s his speed in transition, hockey IQ making every correct decision with the puck and his attention to detail on defense makes him a well-rounded player. It keeps happening where small, skilled players fall in the draft and Buffalo boasting large forwards such as Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch is glad to take the short … [Read more...] about It’s a heist
Sabres select left winger Zach Benson with 13th pick in 2023 NHL Draft
'This past season saw Benson produce a torrent pace on the wing with 36 goals and 62 assists for 98 points in 60 games. In 15 playoff games with the Ice, Benson was able to net seven goals and tack on 10 assists for 17 points.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select left winger Zach Benson with 13th pick in 2023 NHL Draft
Benson excited to share same NHL jersey as Savoie
'"Me and 'Sav' [Savoie] played the whole year together on the same line, [penalty] kill together, power play together. Now to share the same NHL jersey, it’s pretty amazing,” said Benson as he met with the assembled media in Nashville.' … [Read more...] about Benson excited to share same NHL jersey as Savoie
Kevyn Adams tried to get the Sabres back into the first round of the draft
'When you look through the history of the NHL Draft, the 13th overall pick hasn’t produced many great players. Adams said when he got Benson, he saw better skill than what usually pops up at 13, “You’ve heard me talk about projection and we felt like this player has the upside that often you don’t get at that spot in the draft, so the way the list was falling, we started to get … [Read more...] about Kevyn Adams tried to get the Sabres back into the first round of the draft
Sabres select Zach Benson, with 13th overall pick
'Benson's makes up for his small size with his skillset. The Winnipeg standout was linemates with Sabres prospect Matt Savoie where he scored a team-high 98 points.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select Zach Benson, with 13th overall pick
Sabres draft forward Zach Benson, junior linemate of ’22 top pick Matt Savoie
'Ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the sixth North American skater in his draft class, Benson is a skilled playmaker at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds. With experience playing center and left wing in junior hockey, Benson’s body and game fit the profile of Savoie and other recent draft picks made by Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams.' … [Read more...] about Sabres draft forward Zach Benson, junior linemate of ’22 top pick Matt Savoie