Zach Benson, a forward for the Buffalo Sabres, expressed dissatisfaction with his performance last season after recording 10 goals and 18 assists over 75 games. Speaking at the team’s training camp at KeyBank Center, Benson said, “I didn’t like my year last year.” This feeling motivated him to focus on improving his skills during the offseason.
Benson participated in a new skating program aimed at enhancing speed and agility. The program was tailored to his physical attributes and emphasized understanding how to maximize movement efficiency. Benson trained alongside Connor Bedard, another first-round pick from the Western Hockey League (WHL), who also focused on increasing speed.
“It was a lot of how to move in my body and get what I need to get the force to put on the ice,” Benson said. He credited British Columbia native Kent Johnson with introducing him to the program. Johnson previously completed it before achieving a breakout season with 57 points in 68 games.
In addition to skating, Benson concentrated on improving his shot accuracy during summer practices. Head coach Lindy Ruff noted that Benson’s shot has improved noticeably. During Monday’s drills, Benson demonstrated this by scoring with a low glove wrist shot.
“With my shot, I think every little detail in the practices that I skated this summer, every time I shot the puck, I wanted to score,” Benson said. “I think past summers, you kind of just go out there, you’re shooting the puck. This year I really worked on the details of placing the puck where I want to put it and just the want to score.”
Benson is recognized for his defensive reliability but aims to increase his offensive contributions as he continues his NHL career. At training camp, he skated on the top line with Josh Norris and Tage Thompson. The trio played together briefly last season before Norris sustained an injury.
Describing his role alongside Norris and Thompson, Benson said he wants to energize the line and help generate scoring opportunities by getting them the puck in high-danger areas.
Norris praised Benson’s playmaking ability: “He’s extremely skilled, and I think he’s one of those guys that can make a play happen out of nothing…as a centerman, to have a winger be able to make little in-tight plays, it makes my job easier.”
Monday’s practice involved two groups: one group prepared for a preseason game against Columbus while others practiced in Buffalo. A smaller group included forwards Matteo Costantini, Trevor Kuntar, Olivier Nadeau, Redmond Savage, Graham Slaggert; defensemen Isaac Belliveau, Aidan Fulp, Noah Laberge; and goaltender Ryerson Leenders.
Coach Lindy Ruff announced plans for newly signed goaltender Alexandar Georgiev’s debut in Monday’s preseason opener against Columbus. Georgiev will play two periods before Devon Levi takes over for the third period. Alex Lyon is expected to start Tuesday’s home game versus Columbus.
Ruff commented on Georgiev’s opportunity: “He’s just got to use this platform…Every opportunity that he gets is a statement that he’s gonna make to us.”
Peyton Krebs will center the second line with Beck Malenstyn and Justin Danforth during Monday’s game against Columbus. Krebs has played nearly every position for Buffalo over two seasons and recorded career highs last year.
“He’s like my Swiss army knife that I can just flip out a different blade at any time and let him go at it,” Ruff said about Krebs’ versatility.
The Sabres open their preseason schedule Monday night against the Blue Jackets at 7 p.m.
