Sabres sign Zach Benson to seven-year, $52.5M deal
Benson’s new contract details
The Buffalo Sabres have secured forward Zach Benson with a new seven-year contract extension worth $52.5 million. The team announced the agreement on Wednesday. This deal, which is set to begin next season, carries an average annual value (AAV) of $7.5 million and extends through the 2032-33 campaign. Benson, who is 21 years old, was a restricted free agent this off-season.
This new contract represents a significant increase in pay for Benson, as he is coming off his three-year entry-level contract. That previous deal had an AAV of $1.6 million. The Chilliwack, B.C. native was originally selected 13th overall by the Sabres in the 2023 NHL Draft and made his debut with the team in the same season.
Impact on the Sabres and recent team movements
Benson has been a consistent contributor for the Sabres since joining the league as a 19-year-old rookie in 2023-24. His performance has been a key factor in the team’s recent progress, helping them emerge from a rebuild that spanned over a decade. Benson’s aggressive and tenacious style of play has made him a popular figure among fans in Western New York.
His importance to the team was particularly evident this past season, where he achieved career highs in goals, assists, and points. Benson scored 13 goals and recorded 43 points in 65 games, which played a role in the Sabres ending their 14-season playoff drought. Furthermore, the team secured a division title for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
Benson continued his strong play into the postseason, tallying five goals and nine points over 13 games. During the first round against the Boston Bruins, he scored two goals and contributed three points, helping Buffalo win its first postseason series in 19 years. The Sabres were eventually eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
In his 211 career NHL games, Benson has accumulated 34 goals and 101 points. His signing comes amidst other significant roster changes for the Sabres. Earlier on Wednesday, the team dealt forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade agreement. In return, the Sabres acquired forward David Kampf and a third-round draft pick.
Future outlook for the team
Prior to the Tuch trade, the Sabres had also traded defenceman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks. That transaction, which occurred on Wednesday, brought the fourth-overall pick in Friday’s draft back to Buffalo. These moves indicate a period of significant activity for the Sabres as they shape their roster for upcoming seasons.
With Benson’s new contract, he joins a select group of players on the Sabres roster who are signed beyond the 2029-30 campaign. This group includes fellow forward Josh Doan, captain Rasmus Dahlin, and defenceman Owen Power. Benson and Doan are currently the only players under contract through the 2032-33 season.
The signing of Benson means the Sabres now have 36 of a possible 50 NHL contracts signed for next season. According to PuckPedia, the team has just under $13.8 million in projected cap space remaining.
Source: sportsnet.ca
