NHL Future Watch: Zach Benson Hockey Cards, Buffalo Sabres – Zach Benson was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. I was surprised he dropped, but at 5’9” he needed to get stronger for sure. However, his hockey I.Q. is great. His terrific offensive talent and good two-way play have always shown up. He wasn’t going to stop on his way to the NHL.
Benson’s first season in the WHL with the Winnipeg Ice was solid. He had ten goals and ten assists in 24 games. That wasn’t an ideal season as far as games played, but in a pandemic year, it wasn’t terrible.
In 2021-22, Benson scored 25 goals with 38 assists in 58 games. He had nine goals and 23 points in 15 games in the playoffs.
In 2022-23, Benson broke out with 36 goals and 62 assists. He had 98 points in the regular season. In the playoffs, the center had 17 points in 15 games. During that year, this prospect represented Canada in the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup. He scored seven points in five games and took home a gold medal. Benson was a CHL All-Star that year as well. He was ready to turn pro.
In 2023-24, Benson was in the Buffalo Sabres training camp and impressed the coaching staff. At 18, it was either send him back to Winnipeg or try him out in Buffalo. They did the latter, and he played solid hockey. In his first 53 games, he had six goals and 12 assists. He was providing heady play and secondary scoring. He’s making an impact in his rookie season, and the best is yet to come.
NHL Future Watch: Zach Benson Cards Worth Collecting
Benson’s best card is his 2023-24 Upper Deck Series 2 Young Guns Rookie. This classic design looks great, and the photo shows him in action.
The next best card is a harder one to get. It’s a die-cut rookie from 2023-23 Upper Deck Series 2. This card has a different photo. It looks like it’s one from warmups.
One last card is from the 2023-24 O-Pee-Chee set. His Marquee Rookie has a very good look. He’s in that classic Sabres sweater and there’s some French on the card. Collectors love these cards, and they are a bit easier to collect.
Collect this future star. He is a smaller player, but he will have a big impact in the NHL. Next year might just be the year when that happens.
NHL Future Watch: Zach Benson Hockey Cards, Buffalo Sabres – Stats
Statistical image generated on Sports Reference 03/12/2024.
NHL Future Watch: Zach Benson Hockey Cards, Buffalo Sabres – More Resources
NHL Future Watch: Zach Benson Hockey Cards, Buffalo Sabres – Image Gallery
GoGTS.net is happy to feature the thoughts of our contributors. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
For more from Russ Cohen, follow him on Twitter @sportsology.
Russ Cohen
is the author of several top-selling sports related books.
Baseball’s Best Rookies
Numbers Don’t Lie: Mets: The Biggest Numbers in Mets History
100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters
100 Things Rangers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
“Strike Three!” – A Player’s Journey through the Infamous Baseball Strike of 1994
The Winter Classic: The NHL’s Savior
The Philadelphia Flyers: Images of Sports
Pioneers of Baseball
- NFL Future Watch: Zach Charbonnet Football Cards, Seattle Seahawks - April 25, 2024
- NHL Future Watch: Sean Farrell Hockey Cards, Montreal Canadiens - April 23, 2024
- MLB Future Watch: Zach Neto Baseball Cards, LA Angels - April 19, 2024