Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 Player Report Card: Zach Benson

No player on the Buffalo Sabres’ roster gained more notoriety this season than forward Zach Benson. After spending his first couple of seasons in the NHL building his reputation, he finally came into his own and became a new household name among the “pest” players. His grit, skill, and hard-nosed style on the ice, despite his 5-foot-10 stature, made him a fan favorite by the end of the season, and he only showed signs of getting even better.

Benson Sets the Tone

Most times when players develop, it comes over a slow curve until they eventually reach the height they were expected. In Benson’s case, he remained on a fairly flat plateau for his development until suddenly he was skyrocketing. He had shown some signs of being the agitator in many cases, but he more felt like a gnat that was only slightly bugging other players.

Everything changed when he finally got his feet under him in 2025-26, and he became a legitimate nuisance to the opposition. On top of that, he looked like he still had all the skill he was drafted for in 2023. He was out there every single game looking like a complete package.

While Benson may have had a tough season in the injury department, when he returned to the lineup, he was always the sparkplug Buffalo needed. He never backed down from a challenge, and he was always the guy out on the ice setting the tone for everyone else. He significantly improved from last season, and his ability to be used in any scenario made him invaluable every single night.

Grading Benson

Benson finished the season with 13 goals and 43 points in 65 games, along with being second on the team in plus-minus with a plus-27. On top of that, in his 13 playoff games, he was tied for the team lead in goals with five, was fourth on the team in points with nine, was tied for the team lead in plus/minus with a plus-6, and led the team with a whopping 64 penalty minutes. He led by example and was easily one of the most entertaining and dynamic players that the Sabres had on their roster all season. With that being said, these would be his grades:

• Scoring – B
• Defense – A
• Leadership – A+
• Playmaking – A-
• Teamwork – A+

His increased ice time and responsibilities made him a threat, regardless of what the situation was on the ice. Need a goal? He will find a way to score one himself, or get a play going to make it happen. Need some energy? He is right in the opposing team’s face, mixing things up and getting a rise out of everyone. There wasn’t a single thing that Benson couldn’t do to get his team going, and he just looked stronger every game he played.

Benson’s Future in Buffalo

It is hard to see a future in Buffalo that lacks Benson wearing a Sabres jersey. He was just signed to a seven-year extension, and after solidifying himself as one of the team’s top players, he will not be going anywhere, any time soon.

It would not shock me to even see him earn a letter on his chest soon enough. Between his play, his teamwork, and Alex Tuch‘s departure leaving a vacancy in the leadership group, Benson will quickly make his way into head coach Lindy Ruff’s graces even more and be a captain for this team in some capacity. It is just a shame we have to wait so long to see him back in action and getting the crowd fired up once again.