Zach "Badger" Benson: What will he do in the 26/27 season?

[LGR4GM]

Benson cemented his "honey badger don't care" mantra when McAvoy tried to take his head off while EVERY OTHER BRUIN on the ice tried to get a piece of him too... and Benson laughed. Full on, laughed his ass off at them. Dude is baller and he just turned 21, he's younger than Kulich, Östlund, Power, Zellweger. This kid is going to get Selke talk this season and for good reason, he's already elite defensively. His motor and smarts on that side of the puck have grown every year. A lot of ppl area like "you don't want to go into the corner with big player X... no mofos I don't want to go into a corner with Benson. There is one thing holding our beloved honey badger back and that is his overall point totals. He spent parts of the last season on the 4th line, 3rd line, 2nd line, 1st line. He has an okay shot but it needs to be better and he needs to get more shots. His playmaking though... that took a step last year. A bit step. There is a 50a player sitting there waiting. Will he finally break out this year in terms of points? Will he regress now that he has a deal? What is the ceiling for Zach Benson this season now that Tuch is gone and there is almost 0 chance Benson isn't getting 17mins a night in a top 6 role? 

Note: I started a thread for Benson and Helenius because they intrigue me the most. I won't do anymore but I know other posters will as we move into August. 

Edited July 28 by LGR4GM

[Porous Five Hole]

I miss Dudacek’s annual Girgensons prediction poll when every poll choice was 18-21 points. 😂

[Scottysabres]

I believe Badgers 26/27 highlight reels will include at least 2 MacAvoy bend overs…..

[oddoublee]

I see a nice 20 goal and 30 assist season. I will not be shocked if he has more if he gets line 1 minutes with tage. 

I'm setting 49.5 as o/u for the betting markets. 

He's going to be a 70 point player soon....

[dudacek]

I want to be all level-headed and cautionary, but why lie?

Ive been a Benson Stan since day one and a long-time believer in the progression of young players.

It’s hard not to sound like a fanboy. My only concern about his game is he hasn’t shown an ability yet to score goals.

Fully confident he will step into Tuch’s deployment this year and shine. Experience and better linemates will pad his point totals. Added PP time will juice them further. The defence is already excellent.

The league is only starting to realize how good he is. Hard not be excited about his coming season. I don’t see a step back from the way he finished the year.

He’s such a treat to watch.

Edited July 27 by dudacek

[Taro T]

Went with 51-60, but don't expect him to truly break out on goal scoring.  Expect him in the very low 20's.  But do expect him to get mentions for Selke even if he doesn't actually get many votes for it.

Depending upon who he plays with, could see him getting 35+ assists, maybe even into the low 40s.

[LGR4GM]

 

 

 

 

 

[dudacek]

Dimitri loves himself some Zach Benson

[K-9]

Benny plays the perfect type of game for my tastes. Would have been nice if we could have cashed in on some of those beautiful setups. 

[transient]

If Benson can continue the play he showed in the playoffs, he could easily put up a 60+ point season. That is my hope, that his game continues to grow from that experience and builds off that performance.

[Ctaeth]

love me some benny.  i think his final total is going be partially determined whether they end up elevating him to PP1 or not

[#freejame]

Just say “NO” to private polls

[LGR4GM]

57 minutes ago, #freejame said:

Just say “NO” to private polls

Well, we can fix that easy peasy. 

[DarthEbriate]

89 points, including playoffs.