JJP vs Quinn vs Benson - Who will have the better season?

[GASabresIUFAN]

I watched my recording of the preseason game and the most impressive Sabres forwards were Benson and JJP.  I know it was just a preseason game against the AHL Pens, but JJP looks like he fits TNT & Tuch like a glove.  Quinn also looked solid playing with Benson and Cozens.  Benson looks to have found another gear.  We have been looking for our Marchand and maybe we found him, but without the cheap shots.

Peterka and Quinn will always be linked together.  Both tore up the AHL together as kids, put up 30+ points in year 1 in the NHL and continued to blossom in year 2.

JJP put up 28 goals and 22 assists for an excellent .6+ pts/gp last season as a 21 year old.  Quinn, despite missing time with 2 injuries, still managed 19 points in 27 games including 9 goals.  That’s a 27 goal and 57 point pace or about .7 pts/gp.  Not bad for 22.

Then there is Benson.  At 18, his rookie year looked not to dissimilar to JJP’s rookie campaign with 11g 19a for 30 pts (JJP has 12g & 20a).  He was arguably the most accomplished junior player of the 3, Lindy Ruff said he already knows what to do and our new playing style seems designed for his game.

Assuming all 3 stay healthy, which of the 3 has the best season?  Define “best” how you like.  Most goals, most points, best two way play? 

Edited September 22, 2024 by GASabresIUFAN

[BlowLeafsBlow123]

I LOVE Zach Benson and think he's going to be most impactful. Lindy will quickly trust Benson as a go-to guy and put him on the ice a lot. I could easily see Zach having a 55-60 point year and being the best playmaker on the team. He can fit on either of the top three lines and be the play driver. Just a fantastic hockey player that we're very lucky to have gotten so late in there first round last year.

This is a tough poll though, as all three are primed for a great season. I just think they're all ready to pop and become household names around the league. Peterka does seem to fit like a glove with Thompson and Tuch and has ten times the speed of Skinner who was one of the slowest skaters in the league last year. It's hard to see Peterka taking a step back on the goal scoring, and you have to imagine his assists go up on that line. I see him being a 30 goal guy with close to 60 points as well.

I've always held Quinn in high regard as well. He's probably the most skilled winger in their entire system and certainly has the highest point potential. I do see him getting to around a point per game type of player. Just not sure it'll happen this year. I see him also in that 50-60 point range with very good 2-way ability, which is an underrated part of his game. His hockey IQ, like Benson's is off the charts. They're exactly what a guy like Cozens need.

I voted Zach Benson for most points, a bit tongue in cheek and a bit hopeful that he's the next Marchand-type winger in the league. That said, it could easily be any of these guys which is a great problem to have. Hey you never know? If Cozens finds some defensive ability under Lindy, and Quinn magically turns into a 40+ goal guy, we could have our version of Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta 🙂

[French Collection]

JJP on the top line should easily beat last year’s totals. 34-41 = 75.

Quinn playing a full season should be close to 30-36 = 66.

Benson will take a step forward with 18-37=55.

 

[LGR4GM]

I think Benson will be most improved but ppl will say Quinn by using point totals.

[LGR4GM]

I don't give Peterka enough love. Dude is a 2nd round pick who is just clutch. He's good everywhere and he's a got a deceptive shot. He might be the perfect compliment on that top line. 

[Archie Lee]

We are fortunate to have these kids. Whether they take the big step this year or next, I am bullish on their future. I am critical of Adams for not doing more this off-season, but there is no denying that he has overseen very good drafting that has led to this level of young talent (with more still coming). 

[DarthEbriate]

Quinn, Benson, then JJP. Using the only stat that matters: plus/minus.

[Weave]

5 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

We are fortunate to have these kids. Whether they take the big step this year or next, I am bullish on their future. I am critical of Adams for not doing more this off-season, but there is no denying that he has overseen very good drafting that has led to this level of young talent (with more still coming). 

Fortunate?  We ***** suffered for 13 seasons to get them.  I don’t feel fortunate at all.  We paid a helluva price.

[GASabresIUFAN]

5 minutes ago, Weave said:

Fortunate?  We ***** suffered for 13 seasons to get them.  I don’t feel fortunate at all.  We paid a helluva price.

Amen Brother!

[mjd1001]

I have a hard time evaluating Benson.  He has played better than I thought he would and obviously his coaches like him a lot.  I DO see he is rarely out of position which is good, but I do not see speed or a big shot (or even accurate one), so I have a tendency to still think he is a 'high floor' but 'lower ceiling' guy.  Hopefully I'll be proved wrong. The simple fact he made the team last year at 18 and was praised by both Granato and Ruff is a good sign.

[LGR4GM]

2 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

I have a hard time evaluating Benson.  He has played better than I thought he would and obviously his coaches like him a lot.  I DO see he is rarely out of position which is good, but I do not see speed or a big shot (or even accurate one), so I have a tendency to still think he is a 'high floor' but 'lower ceiling' guy.  Hopefully I'll be proved wrong. The simple fact he made the team last year at 18 and was praised by both Granato and Ruff is a good sign.

There's more to being good than having a good shot. 

[Turbo44]

Watching Benson last night he only got one point but he wasn’t rewarded for his forecheck on another goal and going to the net and distracting the goalie on another 

[bob_sauve28]

I have no clue which one will be best, they honestly all look so good. 

 

This might be a really fun season ahead

[DarthEbriate]

52 minutes ago, Turbo44 said:

Watching Benson last night he only got one point but he wasn’t rewarded for his forecheck on another goal and going to the net and distracting the goalie on another 

If Cozens can settle down and rely on Quinn and Benson, (keep it simple and do your job), and Ruff can get Cozens to slowly unlock his potential… that’s a line right there. 

And now that the Sabres have addressed the bottom 6, they can be deployed in advantageous situations for the first half of the season. 

[mjd1001]

Peterka just looks too good putting the puck in the net to say he won't have the best season.

He isn't a liability on defense, he almost scored 30 last year, and in his first appearance this year he scored 3.  Its just hard to say either of the other 2 guys will be better than that. 

[bob_sauve28]

Look at this wrist shot! This is kind of sick 

 

 

[stinky finger]

17 hours ago, Weave said:

Fortunate?  We ***** suffered for 13 seasons to get them.  I don’t feel fortunate at all.  We paid a helluva price.

I hear you. Still, I feel fortunate. 

[WhenWillItEnd66]

If JJP plays with Tuch and Tage he is going to pot a ton of points i think. They will get a decent 1st line especially if Tage plays better than last year when hurt.

[USMCSnyper]

I put JJ for both goals and points, but Quinn for improvement. If he is healthy, his point total will improve more than JJ or Benson.

[GASabresIUFAN]

Apparently JJP was 12th in the NHL last season with 25 5 on 5 goals.  How many does he score if he gets consistent 1 team PP time?