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Zach Benson ranks 124th among young NHL players in recent evaluation

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 7:11 AM

Last updated Aug 20, 2026

Zach Benson ranks 124th among young NHL players in recent evaluation

Summary

Zach Benson has been ranked 124th among under-23 players by Corey Pronman of The Athletic, a surprising position given his experience. Benson has played 211 NHL games, making a significant impact as an 18-year-old, yet he is ranked lower than 27 players from the 2026 NHL Draft. The ranking has sparked debate about Benson's potential and the evaluation methods used by analysts. The discussion surrounding this ranking highlights varying perspectives on player development and future projections in the NHL.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Benson was drafted 13th overall by the Sabres in 2023.
•He has recorded a 30-assist season with a playoff team.
•27 players from the 2026 NHL Draft are ranked ahead of Benson.
•Pronman's ranking has drawn criticism from analysts and fans.
•Benson's performance as a young player challenges standard evaluation metrics.

Latest Updates

7:11 AMYahoo Sports — Zach Benson Snubbed: There Are Not 123 Better Young Players Than Sabres Star

What they're saying

"
Conservatively, half of the guys on this list will probably not have as good a career as Zach Benson. There's a pretty decent chance that players ahead of Benson on this list will never play 211 games in their entire career. The post Zach Benson Snubbed: There Are Not 123 Better Young Players Than Sabres Star appeared first on HEAVY.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Buffalo Sabres Montreal Canadiens NHL Hockey