BUFFALO – The oddest stretch of Zach Benson’s young career is likely over. The diminutive Sabres winger rejoined his teammates for Wednesday’s pregame skate and hopes he can play in the coming days.
Two injuries – a seemingly innocent cut that forced him to be hospitalized the day before the season opener and a lower-body ailment – have kept him out of 11 of the Sabres’ first 19 games, including the last eight after a puck hit his foot.
“Kind of weird,” Benson said prior to Wednesday’s contest against the Calgary Flames in KeyBank Center. “Obviously, (missing) the first three games is (a) super weird injury.”
The 5-foot-10, 177-pound Benson, who said he had “a blast” participating in the optional workout, couldn’t stop smiling following his long on-ice workout.
“Very encouraged,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “Short period of time before he’ll back.”
As Benson, who said he’s day to day, chatted with reporters for a few minutes, some of his teammates listened intently. When he mentioned he “was getting a lot stronger in the gym” as he recovered, they erupted.
“Yes he is!” someone shouted. “He’s a machine in the gym … a stallion!”
Benson, 20, has leaned on those teammates throughout some difficult weeks. He suffered his cut when a puck hit his face in practice. He departed the lineup again Oct. 30.
“Coming to the rink every day, seeing the guys, it makes it a lot easier,” he said. “Obviously, even when they’re on the road for a week and there’s only a couple of them back, it’s pretty tough mentally.”
The Sabres sorely miss Benson, who has registered eight assists in eight games this season, a total that’s tied for third on the team. They began Wednesday’s game with a 3-7-1 record without him.
Last month and down the stretch last season, he fit in nicely at left wing alongside center Jiri Kulich, who’s recovering from a blood clot issue, and Tage Thompson.
“I think the chemistry those guys developed as a line last year when they were put back together,” Ruff said of what buoyed Benson’s hot start. “I think even Benson’s power-play work down low was good at the start of the year.”
Without Benson and winger Jason Zucker, who has missed the last seven games battling a virus, rookie forwards Noah Ostlund and Isak Rosen have filled their spots down low on the power play.
Both youngsters are also left-handed shots.
Ostlund scored a power-play at the net in Monday’s 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, grabbing a pass from Rosen and maneuvering in close.
“We’ve been working hard with the left shots and the right shots by inserting the kids in that position to see if we can get it going again, and they’ve helped us out,” Ruff said. “I thought Ostlund, great individual play on the goal the other night.”
–
Ruff said Zucker, who began skating with his teammates again Monday, will be available for Friday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Zucker lost some weight off his 5-foot-11, 198-pound frame.
“The odd time sometimes the guy needs to lose a few pounds, too,” Ruff joked. “He’s down to his college weight, he said.”