The Sabres' Zach Benson is more than just a rat. He's a strategic playmaker, a relentless forechecker, and a key contributor to the team's success. Despite his reputation as a 'rat' and his memes, Benson is a smart player with a keen understanding of the game. He's a top-end play driver with elite playmaking skills, as evidenced by his 43 points in 65 games this season. Benson's ability to read the situation and understand the game is high, and he's a huge fan of the game's art. He's a relentless forechecker who irritates opponents and plays solid defense, and he's a top-end playmaker with a knack for setting up goals. Benson's point production might be the only thing missing from his resume early in his career, but he's already proven to be a top-end playmaker and is flashing the elite playmaking skills that made him a 98-point player during his draft-eligible season in the Western Hockey League. Given what he's shown in the postseason, it's easy to picture Benson breaking out with another career-best point total next season. He's scheduled to be a restricted free agent this summer and has done more than enough to prove himself worthy of being part of Buffalo's long-term plans. And in seven postseason games, he has become one of the faces of Buffalo's playoff run. Benson's ability to read the situation and understand the game is high, and he's a huge fan of the game's art. He's a relentless forechecker who irritates opponents and plays solid defense, and he's a top-end playmaker with a knack for setting up goals. Benson's point production might be the only thing missing from his resume early in his career, but he's already proven to be a top-end playmaker and is flashing the elite playmaking skills that made him a 98-point player during his draft-eligible season in the Western Hockey League. Given what he's shown in the postseason, it's easy to picture Benson breaking out with another career-best point total next season. He's scheduled to be a restricted free agent this summer and has done more than enough to prove himself worthy of being part of Buffalo's long-term plans. And in seven postseason games, he has become one of the faces of Buffalo's playoff run.
