Sabres Quietly Have One of NHL’s Best Players

Trevor Beggs writes that Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson has emerged as one of the NHL's most impactful players during the 2026-27 season. Despite Buffalo experiencing a team slump, the 21-year-old winger has posted 15 points in his first 17 games while generating elite underlying analytical metrics that compare favorably to the league's top superstars.

Buffalo has controlled 62.1 percent of shot attempts with Benson on the ice, ranking sixth-best across the entire NHL. Beggs notes that the Sabres have outscored opponents 18-6 during Benson's five-on-five minutes, while teammates like Tage Thompson have praised his exceptional playmaking, forechecking, and high-energy defensive turnovers.