Brutal Injury News Strikes A Top 2023 NHL Draft Pick

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Hunter Bowman
October 31, 2023 (10:43 PM)

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Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams announced on Tuesday that young forward Zach Benson is facing a week-to-week absence due to a lower-body injury. Adams clarified that this injury is an aggravation of a previous one that sidelined him for a few games earlier this season.

Benson, an 18-year-old winger, had shown promise in his second game this season, notching two assists against the New York Islanders on October 14. While his ice time has typically ranged from 12 to 15 minutes per game, he's had a few shots on goal since his return but hasn't managed to score yet.

Selected 13th overall in this year's draft, Benson was a top-scoring prospect, having netted 36 goals and 98 points in 60 WHL games the previous season. He's also expected to be a key player for Canada's world junior team if he doesn't secure a long-term spot with the Sabres this year.

The possibility of returning to the WHL's Wenatchee Wild is on the table, where he can gain more experience before potentially aiming for a full-time role next season.

The Sabres currently hold the bottom spot in the Atlantic Division with a 4-5-9 record. Recently, they managed to pull off a 4-0 victory against the red-hot Colorado Avalanche. Buffalo is gearing up for an away game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, followed by a home match against Philadelphia on Friday.

In light of Benson's injury, the Sabres have recalled winger Brandon Biro, who showcased his skills by scoring six points in his initial five AHL games this season. Buffalo signed Biro as an undrafted unrestricted free agent from Penn State in 2020, and he has become a valuable asset for the AHL's Rochester Americans.

Source: Dailyfaceoff