Benson and Kulich

[mjd1001]

A lot is being made of how good Kulich looks, but he hasn't shown it yet against NHL competition.

Benson, he hasn't produced at a super high level but as a young rookie played a solid game all around.

As they both get experience and older, who is eventually better?

[LGR4GM]

Benson

[mjd1001]

I really would like Kulich to play so well in camp he forces himself on the team, so we can actually get a better answer to this.

[LGR4GM]

1 minute ago, mjd1001 said:

I really would like Kulich to play so well in camp he forces himself on the team, so we can actually get a better answer to this.

Tbh, you're comparing a 20yr old Kulich with 3 pro seasons to a 19yr old Benson with 1. Yet Benson is still better and personally with the exception of goals, will continue to be better. That said Kulich has lots of top 6 potential. 

[pi2000]

Two different types of players, but the edge goes to Kulich due to his NHL level size and strength.

[DarthEbriate]

Over the next 3 seasons: Benson.

I think by the end of this season, the line we're all going to want on the ice is Benson-Cozens-Quinn. I think next season, the 5-on-5 time on ice will reflect that. By the season after that, I think they'll prove they can work together or apart and don't fold up shop in the playoffs, either.

Long term, I think Benson will be a top-18 (surpassing Eichel) in Sabres career scoring and stays ahead of Kulich for the duration of their Sabres careers.

Edited September 20, 2024 by DarthEbriate

[PerreaultForever]

Benson's the more complete hockey player and in time I can see him being an effective PP member as well, probably in the bumper spot. Kulich can become a sniper but is more likely a 3rd liner, maybe 2nd. Depends how strong he grows and how he develops his defensive game. He's marginal NHL at the moment and is likely better off with another year in Rochester. Benson might still need a year in Rochester too, hard to say yet. It wouldn't surprise me though. 

[ska-T Palmtown]

3 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Benson's the more complete hockey player and in time I can see him being an effective PP member as well, probably in the bumper spot. Kulich can become a sniper but is more likely a 3rd liner, maybe 2nd. Depends how strong he grows and how he develops his defensive game. He's marginal NHL at the moment and is likely better off with another year in Rochester. Benson might still need a year in Rochester too, hard to say yet. It wouldn't surprise me though. 

Obligatory mention of Benson being Buffalo or WHL this year - not ROC eligible ... unless my brain has completely shat the bed over the summer?

[PerreaultForever]

3 minutes ago, ska-T Chitown said:

Obligatory mention of Benson being Buffalo or WHL this year - not ROC eligible ... unless my brain has completely shat the bed over the summer?

is he still not old enough? 

I assumed he was like Poitras in Boston. Last year he'd have to go back to junior but this year they can send him to Providence. I assumed Benson was the same. 

Edited September 20, 2024 by PerreaultForever

[ska-T Palmtown]

3 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

is he still not old enough? 

Oh man, I was afraid you would ask for details .. 🙂 I just remember last year it was discussed that he would be Buffalo or WHL this year, too.

Hopefully someone with a few active brain cells will swoop in and save me from myself.

Source: The google AI text at the top of a search:
"To play in the AHL, players must be at least 18 years old by September 15 of the season. Canadian and American-born players must be 20 years old by January 15 of the season."

Benners (Benny? Benns?) will not be 20 until MAY, dear god, what a wee baby he is!

Edited September 20, 2024 by ska-T Chitown

[ska-T Palmtown]

5 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

is he still not old enough? 

I assumed he was like Poitras in Boston. Last year he'd have to go back to junior but this year they can send him to Providence. I assumed Benson was the same. 

I fixed my "answer" ... imagine playing in the NHL at 18, then being sent back to the WHL at 19??? Talk about a shot to the ego! Not that I think he will. At all. Just sorted popped into my head.

[LGR4GM]

Poitras is a 2004 bday and already 20. Benson is a 2005 bday and won't be 20 until May. He's not eligible for the AHL and honestly, he's too good for AHL.

Kulich was not a Canadian Jr player so he's been AHL eligible since he was drafted. The rule is in place to keep talented 18 and 19yr olds in the Canadian jrs.

Edited September 20, 2024 by LGR4GM
Spelling

[ska-T Palmtown]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Poitras is a 2004 bday and already 20. Benson is a 2005 bday and won't be 20 until May. He's not eligible for the AHL and honestly, he's too good for AHL.

Kulich was not a Canadian Jr player so he's been AHL eligible since he was drafted. The rule is in place to keep talented 18 and 19yr olds in the Canadian jrs.

Please also accept these for lending a helping hand! ❤️❤️❤️

[GASabresIUFAN]

The better question is Krebs vs Kulich and I think Kulich wins in camp.

[Flashsabre]

Ruff said he doesn’t think he has even talked to Benson yet at camp because he does everything correctly the first time.

[PerreaultForever]

43 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Poitras is a 2004 bday and already 20. Benson is a 2005 bday and won't be 20 until May. He's not eligible for the AHL and honestly, he's too good for AHL.

Kulich was not a Canadian Jr player so he's been AHL eligible since he was drafted. The rule is in place to keep talented 18 and 19yr olds in the Canadian jrs.

Crazy how young Benson is. I thought they were closer in age but there ya go. 

Not "too good for AHL" though imo. Skills wise yes, but you can still learn to play better D there and how to handle the physicality. It's a tough league. Not saying Benson needs that, not sure where he is until we see him this year, but he does still have things to learn. 

Pretty sure Benson will be on the Sabres, but his role is undetermined at this point. Definitely won't be going to junior. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

14 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Crazy how young Benson is. I thought they were closer in age but there ya go. 

Not "too good for AHL" though imo. Skills wise yes, but you can still learn to play better D there and how to handle the physicality. It's a tough league. Not saying Benson needs that, not sure where he is until we see him this year, but he does still have things to learn. 

Pretty sure Benson will be on the Sabres, but his role is undetermined at this point. Definitely won't be going to junior. 

The only question on Benson is where in the top 6 does Benson play.  Zucker isn't beating him out for a top 6 winger role and Kulich isn't either.  

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

Crazy how young Benson is. I thought they were closer in age but there ya go. 

Not "too good for AHL" though imo. Skills wise yes, but you can still learn to play better D there and how to handle the physicality. It's a tough league. Not saying Benson needs that, not sure where he is until we see him this year, but he does still have things to learn. 

Pretty sure Benson will be on the Sabres, but his role is undetermined at this point. Definitely won't be going to junior. 

Benson is already one of the best defensive forwards we have. The AHL won't teach him things he can't handle at the NHL level. 

But I agree, he definitely won't be in Jr's. I've seen that pop up a little here and there and it's nuts. Benson was exceedingly good to end his rookie year. 

I think the Benson to Jr thing comes from recency bias and overhyped Kulich. It will end once Benson starts playing. 

Edited September 20, 2024 by LGR4GM

[PerreaultForever]

56 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The only question on Benson is where in the top 6 does Benson play.  Zucker isn't beating him out for a top 6 winger role and Kulich isn't either.  

Zucker vs. Benson will tell us more about Ruff than it does about Benson or Zucker. 

[PerreaultForever]

6 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Benson is already one of the best defensive forwards we have. The AHL won't teach him things he can't handle at the NHL level. 

But I agree, he definitely won't be in Jr's. I've seen that pop up a little here and there and it's nuts. Benson was exceedingly good to end his rookie year. 

I think the Benson to Jr thing comes from recency bias and overhyped Kulich. It will end once Benson starts playing. 

Probably, but it does depend on whether or not Benson has a "sophomore slump" and how he adjusts to Ruff. While I have no doubt Benson will be star Buffalo forward, and he very well might end up eventually being the best Buffalo forward, these things are often not linear and we could go a little up and down before he fully arrives. 

When you say he's one of the best defensive forwards we have, while that might be true, it's a low bar and that bar might be raised substantially now. 

[dudacek]

1 minute ago, PerreaultForever said:

Probably, but it does depend on whether or not Benson has a "sophomore slump" and how he adjusts to Ruff. While I have no doubt Benson will be star Buffalo forward, and he very well might end up eventually being the best Buffalo forward, these things are often not linear and we could go a little up and down before he fully arrives. 

When you say he's one of the best defensive forwards we have, while that might be true, it's a low bar and that bar might be raised substantially now. 

Did you listen to what Lindy had to say about Benson?

[bob_sauve28]

 

[nfreeman]

Interesting question.  Kulich’s ceiling IMHO is probably in the same ballpark as Peterka’s — ie a powerful, fast, goal-scoring forward who scores 30ish goals per year and sometimes 40, and pressures the opposing defense, although isn’t much of a playmaker or a defender.  That is still a very valuable NHL player.

Benson, OTOH, doesn’t strike me as having that kind of goal-scoring potential or speed or strength, but could become a great 200-foot “glue guy” who does everything well, and some things exceptionally well, and has a bit of an edge.  A bit of Bergeron and a bit of Marchand.   Also a very valuable player.

if I have to pick one, Benson looks like the better bet, mostly because he’s already had a pretty solid rookie year and Kulich hasn’t been able to make the NHL roster yet.  But the story is far from fully written.  

[PerreaultForever]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Did you listen to what Lindy had to say about Benson?

Sure, but we just started and we haven't played a game yet. 

See, I don't know where Lindy is going to set the bar. This team has had it set so low over these years it often doesn't exist. "Development", "learning", "growing pains" and so forth but not unacceptable or inadequate. When/if mistakes are made this year how fast until Lindy has you down the line up, benched or in the press box? That goes for any of them. 

To reiterate, I think Benson has one of the brightest potential futures on this team but what happens in October is still unknown. 

[dudacek]

12 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

Interesting question.  Kulich’s ceiling IMHO is probably in the same ballpark as Peterka’s — ie a powerful, fast, goal-scoring forward who scores 30ish goals per year and sometimes 40, and pressures the opposing defense, although isn’t much of a playmaker or a defender.  That is still a very valuable NHL player.

Benson, OTOH, doesn’t strike me as having that kind of goal-scoring potential or speed or strength, but could become a great 200-foot “glue guy” who does everything well, and some things exceptionally well, and has a bit of an edge.  A bit of Bergeron and a bit of Marchand.   Also a very valuable player.

if I have to pick one, Benson looks like the better bet, mostly because he’s already had a pretty solid rookie year and Kulich hasn’t been able to make the NHL roster yet.  But the story is far from fully written.  

To me the question about Benson has nothing to do with size or skating, it’s how talented this kid actually is.

If he can skate, battle and process against NHL players at 18, he’s not going to stop doing those things at 19. If he’s like 95% of rookies, he’s only going to get better at those things. The question is how much better.

The Corey Pronmans of the world don’t see a huge amount of room for growth in his game because they think he can only go so far with his size/speed combination.

I disagree. I’m really curious how far his hands, compete and IQ can take him.