Zach Benson

When Can Newly-Drafted Prospects Break Through Into The NHL?

When do or can prospects make the jump to the NHL/AHL level? Most NHL prospects take 3-5 years post-draft to reach the NHL, with less than a third of first-rounders making an NHL team. Factors like skill development and individual progression dictate the timeline. Additionally, a strict NHL-CHL agreement impacts where prospects can play, depending on age. Any player under the age of 20 is ineligible to play in the AHL. NHL Entry Draft intricacies, entry-level contracts, Russian political issues and AHL stints shape a prospect’s journey.

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What’s Wrong With the Buffalo Sabres?

At the beginning of every season, we all have expectations of what we think will happen in the NHL. For this year, as an example, Connor Bedard would help improve the Chicago Blackhawks. The Boston Bruins were not going to challenge last season’s regular season point total. The Seattle Kraken would struggle to meet their […]

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Arizona Coyotes Prospect Conor Geekie Skating Through Neutral-Zone.

Predicting Team Canada’s 2024 World Junior Roster

With November slowly coming to a close and the Christmas festivities already starting to begin, for certain hockey fans, that only means one thing. The annual World Juniors tournament, which usually opens up just after Christmas, is just around the corner! After a thrilling tournament last season, which saw Connor Bedard lead Team Canada to […]

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Goalie Choice Was the Difference Tuesday in DFS

Tuesday night was the right night to start the journey from $0-$500. Unfortunately, it also was a night of poor decisions and inaccurate gut feelings. Before heading to work Tuesday morning, while enjoying a coffee, I opened up to see what the Vegas lines were for the night and the over/under for each game. Right […]

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Three Takeaways From The Sabres First Win: Sabre Postgame

It’s never simple with the Sabres. When I watch this team, I tend to be more tense than I am at any other point in my week. No matter. The boys in royal blue got their first win of the season, thanks to a Dylan Cozens snipe in ooooooovertime. I have three big takeaways from […]

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The House That Kevyn Built: The New Age Sabres

It’s June 2020, and the Sabres have truly hit rock bottom. They are a terrible bottom feeding team, just like the last decade. The only bright spot on the team, star center Jack Eichel, wants out. Ralph Krueger is their head coach. Every Sabres fan is miserable. Until Jason Botteril, who was the GM at […]

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Sabres Sign Dahlin To Massive Extension

After many extension rumors swirling around during training camp about franchise defenceman Rasmus Dahlin, the Sabres have finally locked him up. Signing a franchise-record eight-year, 11 million AAV contract cements Dahlin as the cornerstone of a Buffalo team on the rise. This extension comes on the heels of his best season to date, scoring 15 […]

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The Case For Zach Benson To Play On Opening Night

Back in a prior article, I talked about the Sabres’ prospect challenge. Among other things, the pairing of Zach Benson and Matt Savoie was a main focus. The pair lit up juniors, and I fully expected them to put on a show. Even though Savoie was injured in the challenge’s final game, he dominated every […]

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Buffalo Sabres Sign Zach Benson to ELC

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have signed their 13th overall pick, forward Zach Benson, to a 3-year, entry-level contract. Benson is a strong offensive player who was selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, tallying 36 goals and 62 assists in 60 games played with the CHL’s Winnipeg ICE. Standing […]

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Who Was Selected on Day One of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft has all of the hype surrounding it, here at Inside The Rink, a group of multiple writers wrote prospect profiles throughout a set period of time. Day one of the draft is upon us and the first 32 selections have arrived. 1st overall – Chicago Blackhawks With the first overall […]

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