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 Monday at 05:24 PM 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. 

[JP51]

On 10/31/2025 at 9:54 PM, Gatorman0519 said:

The injuries will buy Adams another year. 

I think if they dont make the playoffs and they run back this guy the exodus will begin.... 

[shrader]

2 minutes ago, JP51 said:

I think if they dont make the playoffs and they run back this guy the exodus will begin.... 

If an exodus hasn't happened already, it never will.  Scratch that, it has happened already.  The people who are still here today, I don't think they're going anywhere.

[JP51]

7 minutes ago, shrader said:

If an exodus hasn't happened already, it never will.  Scratch that, it has happened already.  The people who are still here today, I don't think they're going anywhere.

We are going to agree to disagree....  I do not believe Thompson and Dahlin will press farther into their careers without even a sniff of the playoffs...  I don't think Tuch is married to this either...  We are hearing ,albeit non confirmed,  rumblings about Levi and Power...  I think this team collapses and misses the playoffs again and they run the FO back... it will begin...  but time will tell... 

[Pimlach]

10 minutes ago, shrader said:

If an exodus hasn't happened already, it never will.  Scratch that, it has happened already.  The people who are still here today, I don't think they're going anywhere.

I worry about Tage and Dahlin asking to leave.  The precedent was set to accommodate those who want out and it has been followed. 

Then there is Tuch with an expiring contract.  

[shrader]

34 minutes ago, JP51 said:

We are going to agree to disagree....  I do not believe Thompson and Dahlin will press farther into their careers without even a sniff of the playoffs...  I don't think Tuch is married to this either...  We are hearing ,albeit non confirmed,  rumblings about Levi and Power...  I think this team collapses and misses the playoffs again and they run the FO back... it will begin...  but time will tell... 

My bad, I thought you were talking about an exodus in the stands. 

[Drag0nDan]

1 hour ago, JP51 said:

We are going to agree to disagree....  I do not believe Thompson and Dahlin will press farther into their careers without even a sniff of the playoffs...  I don't think Tuch is married to this either...  We are hearing ,albeit non confirmed,  rumblings about Levi and Power...  I think this team collapses and misses the playoffs again and they run the FO back... it will begin...  but time will tell... 

Maybe its because everyone on the internet hates power for some reason.  Levi has no leverage and probably has a better path to the NHL here than anywhere else, and wouldn't be moved unless they were given a real offer. 

I'm not saying fans have a major effect on things, but when fans outright say that these guys suck on social media regarding guys like Power and Coleman for the Bills, it doesn't really make you want to play for the team.  I think its fair to be critical and talk about players, but when you just trash your team why are you shocked when people don't want to play here.  Do we root for the team, or root for this need to be "right" about a pick you didn't like?  

[LGR4GM]

Benson is in a walking boot and sounds like he won't play this weekend. 

[Turbo44]

So apparently feet break easier on 5’9” players than 6’3”

[LGR4GM]

Benson is 5'10" 

[Cheektorado]

I miss Zach.

[JP51]

6 hours ago, Drag0nDan said:

Maybe its because everyone on the internet hates power for some reason.  Levi has no leverage and probably has a better path to the NHL here than anywhere else, and wouldn't be moved unless they were given a real offer. 

I'm not saying fans have a major effect on things, but when fans outright say that these guys suck on social media regarding guys like Power and Coleman for the Bills, it doesn't really make you want to play for the team.  I think its fair to be critical and talk about players, but when you just trash your team why are you shocked when people don't want to play here.  Do we root for the team, or root for this need to be "right" about a pick you didn't like?  

I mean at its root its an entertainment business and fans are the ones who are the entertainees so I imagine there is some of that and the players are human like if everyone is on them I could see them wanting a change I don't think it is everything but its something 

[FrenchConnection44]

On 11/1/2025 at 7:49 AM, tom webster said:

He’s played 71 and 75 games his first two years. This year’s initial injury was from a puck to the face. He has not proven to be injury prone.

This is true. 

That said, his body, as is, is not currently suited to his style of play. If he doesn’t add 10-12 lbs of muscle he’s going to get more injuries and and as they pile up it will be more difficult. He's not a speedster offensive player. He is a smart player with great stick work in the corners.  But needs more size and muscle to elevate beyond just decent. He also needs strength to improve his shot. Heck, a lot of players have better backhand shots than his forehand. It’s all about commitment. If he gets close to 190 that is a weight that would be ideal for his style of play. This is a big offseason for him. And a big season as well. 

[LGR4GM]

10 minutes ago, FrenchConnection44 said:

This is true. 

That said, his body, as is, is not currently suited to his style of play. If he doesn’t add 10-12 lbs of muscle he’s going to get more injuries and and as they pile up it will be more difficult. He's not a speedster offensive player. He is a smart player with great stick work in the corners.  But needs more size and muscle to elevate beyond just decent. He also needs strength to improve his shot. Heck, a lot of players have better backhand shots than his forehand. It’s all about commitment. If he gets close to 190 that is a weight that would be ideal for his style of play. This is a big offseason for him. And a big season as well. 

What conjecture and nonsense. 

[Wyldnwoody44]

Martin St Louis, Tim Kennedy, Brad Marchand, Theo Fleury, Johnathan Marchassault, Danny Briere, Patrick Kane, etc etc 

 

Those are just off the top of my head that are smallish players that thrived in the NHL, furthermore, in an era where it was legal to openly mug and assault for some of them. 

Benson has the same DNA as some of the players noted.... What he doesn't have is a team that can keep up with his tenacity. Maybe some TRT injections would do this team good, I know a nice place that can supply some peptides for the boys to man up... 

Benson isn't injury prone, his teammates are terrible prone. 

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, FrenchConnection44 said:

This is true. 

That said, his body, as is, is not currently suited to his style of play. If he doesn’t add 10-12 lbs of muscle he’s going to get more injuries and and as they pile up it will be more difficult. He's not a speedster offensive player. He is a smart player with great stick work in the corners.  But needs more size and muscle to elevate beyond just decent. He also needs strength to improve his shot. Heck, a lot of players have better backhand shots than his forehand. It’s all about commitment. If he gets close to 190 that is a weight that would be ideal for his style of play. This is a big offseason for him. And a big season as well. 

Will agree with two pieces of this.  Benson, due to his current strength level, has little faith in his shot.  When he gets stronger, he'll shoot more, and the shot will likely be effective.  (And he is a very smart player with great stick work in the corners too.)

But, his size didn't cause a shot block to mess up his foot.  His size didn't cause a puck to the face to cause internal bleeding.

Yes, he'll be a better player when he's stronger, but he's already ahead of decent.

[Pimlach]

17 hours ago, Turbo44 said:

So apparently feet break easier on 5’9” players than 6’3”

I assume humor was intended.  

49 minutes ago, FrenchConnection44 said:

This is true. 

That said, his body, as is, is not currently suited to his style of play. If he doesn’t add 10-12 lbs of muscle he’s going to get more injuries and and as they pile up it will be more difficult. He's not a speedster offensive player. He is a smart player with great stick work in the corners.  But needs more size and muscle to elevate beyond just decent. He also needs strength to improve his shot. Heck, a lot of players have better backhand shots than his forehand. It’s all about commitment. If he gets close to 190 that is a weight that would be ideal for his style of play. This is a big offseason for him. And a big season as well. 

Benson is listed at 5'10" and 180, and still only 20.  He is actually bigger right now than Danny Gare was.  He is an inch shorter but already the same weight that Mike Peca was.  Benson will add another 8 to 10 pounds in the next few years.  

His shot is the only area that really needs improvement.  He can work on this and getting stronger will help.