- Brad Marchand told NHL.com that Sabres winger Zach Benson reminds him of his younger self
- “He’s not timid at all, goes to the dirty areas, he’s very competitive, skilled little player and loves to stir it up,” Marchand said
- Read below for the full quote, video of Benson’s birthday goal, and what’s at stake in Game 7 tonight in Buffalo
Brad Marchand is passing the torch.
The Florida Panthers winger, who built a Hall of Fame résumé on being the most insufferable player to share a sheet of ice with, told NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin by text that Sabres winger Zach Benson “loves to stir it up” and reminds him of his younger self.
Marchand was asked if Benson’s game looks anything like the one that made him hockey’s most famous rat.
“Yes he does, for sure,” Marchand said. “I love his game. He’s not timid at all, goes to the dirty areas, he’s very competitive, skilled little player and loves to stir it up. He’s showing right now he’s a gamer too! Very impressive with how young he is as well.”
Then he threw in a forecast: “He’s going to have a long career.”
That kind of co-sign from the Rat King carries weight, and Benson has earned it. He has seven points and four goals in 10 playoff games, tied with Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram for the team lead despite skating roughly four fewer minutes a night than any of them.
The 21-year-old is also leading every skater in these playoffs (minimum three games) at 5.13 penalties drawn per 60. Charlie McAvoy can vouch — he got six games for slashing Benson after losing the plot in Round 1.
Benson buried the game-winner on his 21st birthday in Game 4 in Montreal. The Sabres’ social admin made sure he found a present in his stall the next morning:
Watch the birthday game-winner:
Three games later, Benson racked up three points in Buffalo’s 8-3 demolition of the Habs at Bell Centre to force a Game 7. Lindy Ruff has been raving about his little pest all series.
The Sabres coach broke down what makes Benson such a nightmare for opponents.
“He’s hard to play against,” Ruff said. “He’s annoying because he gets to the net all the time. He gets to the puck. He’s the first touch… and then he’s got that kind of smirk on his face that irritates you as an opposition player. It makes me smile, but I think it annoys other people.”
Game 7 drops Monday night at KeyBank Center with a trip to the Eastern Conference Final on the line. The Canadiens get one more crack at Benson, and then he’s somebody else’s problem.
