Benson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Devon Levi looks sharp in preseason debut

BUFFALO – While the Sabres have three goalies battling for two spots, Devon Levi, having started seven critical late-season games last year, likely secured his place and the No. 1 job months ago.

In his first preseason start Tuesday, Levi, 21, only strengthened the belief he will be the opening night starter, stopping all 19 shots he faced in 40 minutes of action.

Goalie Devin Cooley, a free agent ticketed for the AHL, relieved Levi ... Read the full article

Sabres to give prospect Zach Benson look on top line

BUFFALO – Placing rookie Zach Benson on the top line with center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner for tonight’s preseason game isn’t a reward, coach Don Granato said.

“He’s a good hockey player,” Granato said after the Sabres prepared for the Boston Bruins in KeyBank Center. “He’s earned it in the sense that he might only be 18 years old, but he’s developed himself enough to be able to keep up with those two in ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Nikita Novikov turns heads in first games in Buffalo

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ leading scorer in the Prospects Challenge wasn’t Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen, Matt Savoie or another talented young forward.

No, try defenseman Nikita Novikov, who registered five assists, including three in Friday’s 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens in LECOM Harborcenter.

The Russian, 20, compiled three assists and five points in 62 games with the Kontinental Hockey League’s Moscow Dynamo all of last season.

The 6-foot-4, ... Read the full article

Viktor Neuchev, Zach Benson and Isak Rosen score, illustrate Sabres’ depth

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Viktor Neuchev scored in front early, converting center Tyson Kozak’s nifty backhand pass from behind the net. Winger Zach Benson followed minutes later, releasing a wicked shot from the left circle.

After the New Jersey Devils scored in the second period, winger Isak Rosen zoomed to the net unfettered, recording his second goal in as many nights.

The early goals in Saturday’s 4-2 win at the Prospects Challenge in LECOM Harborcenter ... Read the full article

In Vaclav Prospal, Jiri Kulich has special mentor as he fights to make Sabres

BUFFALO – When Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal learned Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich trains in his hometown in Czechia during the summer, he headed to the local rink in Ceske Budejovice to introduce himself.

Prospal, one of the Rochester Americans’ new assistant coaches, ran into some of his former teammates, so he invited Kulich to his house for lunch to chat.

Having coached against Kulich and followed hockey closely, Prospal knew about the youngster’s lethal shot – ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Matt Savoie poised to stick in Buffalo: ‘That’s my goal’

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Matt Savoie paused for a moment and collected his thoughts before he answered the question.

Savoie, 19, has established himself as a dominant junior star over the past two seasons, scoring 92 goals and a whopping 226 points in 156 total games, including the playoffs.

Clearly, the center’s ready for pro hockey. But the Canadian Hockey League’s agreement with the NHL prohibits him from playing in the AHL this season. He ... Read the full article

Sabres’ 2023 Prospects Challenge roster features five first-round picks

Five first-round picks, including forwards Jiri Kulich and Matt Savoie, are among the 25 youngsters listed on the Buffalo Sabres’ roster for the upcoming Prospects Challenge rookie tournament.

Kulich and Savoie, two of the Sabres’ three first-round selections in 2022, are expected to compete for NHL spots during training camp.

The roster, released Tuesday, also features three other first-round picks: wingers Zach Benson and Isak Rosen and defenseman Ryan Johnson.... Read the full article

Watch: Sabres prospect Zach Benson scores hat trick

A day ago, we showed you Zach Benson’s sizzling preseason goal for the Wenatchee Wild.

What did the slick Buffalo Sabres prospect do for an encore Sunday? Well, he scored three times, including the overtime winner, in Wenatchee’s 4-3 exhibition victory over the Everett Silvertips.

Check out the winger’s hat trick below.

... Read the full article

Watch: Sabres prospect Zach Benson scores highlight-reel goal

Later this week, all eyes will be on Buffalo Sabres prospect Zach Benson at the Prospects Challenge at LECOM Harborcenter.

Benson, 18, will likely earn first- or second-line duty during the rookie tournament games and a long look from the Sabres during training camp.

On Saturday, the winger showcased the dynamic skills that made him the 13th overall pick this year. Check out the electrifying goal he scored in the Wenatchee Wild’s first home preseason ... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Zach Benson to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday signed winger Zach Benson, the 13th overall pick this year, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

He’s the second prospect from the Sabres’ 2023 draft class to ink his deal, joining forward Anton Wahlberg, the 39th selection.

The contract has a $950,000 average salary cap hit – an $855,000 base salary and a $95,000 signing bonus – according to capfriendly.com.

Benson, 18, enjoyed a dynamic junior campaign with the ... Read the full article