Sabres place Zach Benson on IR, recall Isak Rosen

[PerreaultForever]

6 hours ago, K-9 said:

Potential injuries to Benson have far less to do with his age and size than it does with his style of play. Players who always press the action like he does are putting themselves in more situations to get hurt, regardless of size. He gets hurt less than an older big guy like Greenway does, that’s for sure. 

It's a combination. His size and how he plays together. 

[msw2112]

On 10/31/2025 at 4:03 PM, msw2112 said:

Östlund was sent down (or "loaned" to Rochester, if there's a difference).

I've been unimpressed with what I have seen from Rosen to date.  When he's been in Buffalo, he's been fairly invisible on the ice.  He doesn't generate offense, he doesn't appear to do anything defensively, he's not hitting people, he's not driving play.

Hopefully, he's improved and will add more value on this callup than in previous ones.  Typically, I think that patience is required with the development of many young players, but usually they show SOMETHING when they get called up.  Guys might not score a lot, but are hitting people, or are making plays, pressuring the other team with their speed, etc.  Guys like Thompson and Mittlestadt were not good in their early games with the Sabres, but at least demonstrated something.  Thompson has unteachable size and his puck dangling, Mittlestadt showed good hands.  Devon Levi has had some sharp games.  Ryan Johnson has shown some ability to skate well and to get the puck up ice.  Not consistently, but flashes of what might happen in the future when they're more mature and stronger.  I have seen no such flash from Rosen.

Quoting my previous post.  Finally, Rosen has flashed at the NHL level.  Loved seeing him get his first NHL goal, and he overall played much better and was noticeable on the ice.  I'm not sure if it's because he was used differently (playing higher up in the lineup, getting PP time, etc.) or if he has just gotten older/bigger/stronger and/or more confident.  It would be great if he can maintain it, particularly with injuries to Benson and Norris.  It feels odd to even mention Norris, as it really doesn't feel like he's part of the team, but he is technically part of the Sabres' top-6 and he is out with an injury.  What has the team gotten from him yet - 3 games last season and two period this season?  If he can return and remain healthy for the rest of the season, I would consider that a bonus, at this point.  But back to the original point of the post - congrats to Rosen!

[Pimlach]

13 minutes ago, msw2112 said:

Quoting my previous post.  Finally, Rosen has flashed at the NHL level.  Loved seeing him get his first NHL goal, and he overall played much better and was noticeable on the ice.  I'm not sure if it's because he was used differently (playing higher up in the lineup, getting PP time, etc.) or if he has just gotten older/bigger/stronger and/or more confident.  It would be great if he can maintain it, particularly with injuries to Benson and Norris.  It feels odd to even mention Norris, as it really doesn't feel like he's part of the team, but he is technically part of the Sabres' top-6 and he is out with an injury.  What has the team gotten from him yet - 3 games last season and two period this season?  If he can return and remain healthy for the rest of the season, I would consider that a bonus, at this point.  But back to the original point of the post - congrats to Rosen!

Rosen looks to be bigger, stronger, and more confident than last year  

He has gained 25 pounds since he was drafted.  The AHL games have helped him immensely. I am much more optimistic on his future after seeing the difference in him in the last game.  
 

He is 22 until March.  Still developing and appears to be trending up.  

Edited 7 hours ago by Pimlach

[pi2000]

He's been playing top line minutes in Rochester.   Was happy he wasn't buried on the 4th line in Buffalo.
 

Wouldn't be surprised to see him moved up in to the top 6 here soon if he continues to flash.  

[K-9]

4 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

He's been playing top line minutes in Rochester.   Was happy he wasn't buried on the 4th line in Buffalo.
 

Wouldn't be surprised to see him moved up in to the top 6 here soon if he continues to flash.  

It’s maddening to see top line forwards excelling in the A only to be saddled with non-playmakers on a 4th line when called up. You just aren’t gonna get a true picture of the potential.