- ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports the Sabres are working on a contract extension with Zach Benson
- The deal could mirror Josh Doan’s seven-year, $48.65 million pact
- Read below for what Benson’s breakout means for Buffalo’s cap and Alex Tuch
The Buffalo Sabres want to keep Zach Benson around for a long time.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported Thursday that Buffalo is working on an extension with the 20-year-old winger. Weekes said it’s likely a seven-year deal, possibly identical to the one Josh Doan signed back in January.
Here’s Weekes with the news:
That Doan contract runs seven years at $48.65 million. Match it and the Sabres lock up two top-six wingers for roughly $6.95 million each.
Benson earned the raise. He went 13th overall in 2023 and made the roster at 18, which almost never happens for a player his size.
His first two seasons were fine, not special. He put up 30 points as a rookie, then actually slipped to 28 in his sophomore year.
This past season changed everything. Benson posted 13 goals and 43 points in 65 games, and a healthy full slate puts him near 54.
The kid flashed the skill early. Watch his first NHL goal, a between-the-skates finish on Darcy Kuemper:
The jump wasn’t only on offense. Benson led Sabres forwards in even-strength Corsi and on-ice save percentage, numbers you rarely get from a winger.
Paying him now says plenty about the rest of Buffalo’s roster. Darren Dreger reported earlier this month that Alex Tuch is likely headed to free agency after talks stalled.
Commit to Benson and the cap math on Tuch only gets tighter.
Benson built his name as a pest who loves to stir it up. Now the Sabres are ready to pay him like a building block.
