Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson has built a reputation inside the room as much as on the ice, and Tage Thompson made it clear that the 21-year-old is as memorable for his personality as for his production.
Speaking on a podcast with USA gold medal teammates Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, Thompson didn’t hold back when describing Benson.
"(Zach) is one of the dumbest guys of all time, in the best way possible," Thompson said to USA gold medal teammates Brady and Matthew Tkachuk on their podcast. "Which is why I think he's suchn a good hockey player. He has zero fear and the most confidence ever."
That confidence showed up all season for Buffalo. Benson put together a career-best 43 points, scoring 13 goals and adding 30 assists in 65 regular-season games. He then carried that edge into the playoffs, finishing with five goals in 13 games and 64 penalty minutes.
His postseason impact helped push Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen to sign him to a seven-year contract extension after the season, but Thompson’s comments pointed to something beyond the stat line. Benson’s value, at least in Buffalo, goes well past his scoring touch.
Teammates were often seen wearing T-shirts with quotes from Benson during the season, and Thompson said the winger has become a real presence in the locker room.
"He'll say things in the locker room, and you'll just shake your head," Thompson said. "He's just a riot to be around, he's like one of the guys when you walk into the locker room and he always has something going. whether it's a conspiracy, a hot take, and it's just outrageous to listen to him. It's always a conversation starter for our group."
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For now, though, this remains more of a fit than a finished deal. Buffalo has other young forwards who could enter the discussion, including Konsta Helenius, Zach Benson, Josh Doan, Jack Quinn and Peyton Krebs, but the exact shape of any potential package is still unclear. McLeods value has risen enough to make him a logical talking point, yet the Sabres are still in the speculative stage, waiting to see whether this chase ever turns into something concrete. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Goalie Chase Just Took A Twist Fans Wont Ignore
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Why Sabres Fans Are Suddenly Talking Themselves Into Louis Crevier
Louis Crevier is the kind of defenseman Sabres fans can talk themselves into pretty quickly. After coming over in the deal involving Bowen Byram, the 25-year-old arrived with a season in Chicago that hinted at real growth, the sort of step forward that makes a player look less like a throw-in and more like a piece with a future. He set career highs across the board with the Blackhawks, and for a Buffalo blue line that always has room for more size and stability, that matters.
The appeal starts with the physical profile. At 6-foot-8, Crevier already stands out before he takes a shift, and he backed that up with a heavier, more complete season that showed he can contribute at both ends and play with bite. The Sabres are still sorting out what their long-term top four looks like, but Crevier has at least given the fan base a reason to wonder whether he can grow into that conversation sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]