BUFFALO — Long before he gave the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens fits in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Zach Benson’s high-octane game rankled opponents.
The diminutive winger’s ultra-aggressive style helped him crack the NHL at just 18 and later establish himself as one of the Sabres’ most valuable forwards.
“I’ve kind of played like this forever,” Benson said last week in KeyBank Center. “I’ve kind of always played with that edge.”
Benson, however, had never participated in the postseason until this spring, when his goal-scoring exploits and tenacity — few players dart to the net with more authority — grabbed the attention of the hockey world.
“Everything in the playoffs is magnified,” Sabres winger Jason Zucker said.
In developing a reputation as a rat, Benson, 21, showcased the same agitating style he has throughout his career. He was simply performing on grander stage.
“The one thing that about Benny is he didn’t change his game,” Zucker said. “Nothing changed. Just the difference is he scored goals in big moments, and I say that as a huge compliment to him. He plays that way every single game.
“He’s tough to play against. He works incredibly hard. He makes great plays. He’s around the net all the time.”
Not surprisingly, Benson, who’s listed at 5-foot-10 and 177 pounds, often became the center of attention throughout the postseason.
Benson’s five goals in 13 games tied for the team lead with center Tage Thompson. His 64 penalty minutes – he recorded just 42 in 65 regular-season outings – ranks first in the NHL this postseason. No other teammate compiled more than 22 in the playoffs.
“He’s not afraid to enter the fray no matter how big the opponent is,” said one scout who watched Benson throughout the season. “He has sneaky skill that can make you look bad. He has the innate ability to chirp and verbally respond to anyone trying to get in his kitchen.”
Benson sealed Game 6 in Boston and the franchise’s first postseason series victory in 19 years by giving the Sabres a two-goal lead in the third period.
Later that night, Benson tripped Charlie McAvoy as they raced to a loose puck, sending the Bruins defenseman into the boards. An incensed McAvoy got up and laid a two-handed baseball swing on Benson, a whack that earned him a six-game suspension.
Benson also scored the game-winning power-play goal in Game 4 in Montreal.
After his starring role in the final weeks of the regular season – he scored six of his 13 goals in the last 13 contests – and the playoffs, Benson will likely earn a big payday as a restricted free agent this offseason.
The Sabres compiled a 44-14-7 record when he played during the regular season and a 6-9-2 mark when he was injured.
“I see him as a true core piece that fills all the boxes,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “Maybe not the height, but everything else. I mean, the way he plays, I mean, he’s just a relentless dog on a bone. I can’t say enough good things about Zach Benson. He’s got skill, he’s got hockey sense, he’s got instincts, he’s relentless, he’s a competitor.”
“What a great playoff he had. … I’m so excited about the level that he can get to still.”
Remember, Benson, the 13th overall pick in 2023, was the Sabres’ youngest regular player this season.
“Just turned 21 to have his first legal beer in the playoffs!” Kekalainen said. “He’s just getting started. When you look at him, he looks young, he still looks like a boy. Just wait until he becomes a big strong man that we’re going to be pushing him to get to.”
Benson cherishes the memories of his first playoff run.
“It’s been unbelievable,” he said. “I love every guy in that room. It’s truly a brotherhood. It’s the tightest team I’ve ever been on. It was cool to see the city kind of rally around us. It was super cool and a season I’ll never forget.”
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The New York Islanders on Friday named former Sabres defenseman Jay McKee head coach of the Hamilton Hammers, their new AHL affiliate.
McKee, 48, spent the last three seasons coaching the Brantford Bulldogs, a junior team in the Ontario Hockey League. He also coached the Bulldogs two seasons when they played in Hamilton, winning the OHL championship in 2021-22.