Penguins Draft Profiles: Zach Benson
Zach Benson is one of the most underrated and NHL-ready players in the 2023 NHL Draft and could be a Pittsburgh Penguins target.
The Pittsburgh Penguins might get lucky during the 2023 NHL Draft. With just days before the draft begins, it seems some extremely talented players may fall down the draft boards. One of those players is Zach Benson, who the Penguins would be beyond lucky to select a player like him in the first round.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQmBgHwenc[/embed]
Essentials:
2022-23 Team: Winnipeg (WHL)
2022-23 Stats: 60 GP, 36 G, 62 A, 98 P
Position: Forward
Shoots: Left
Height and Weight: 5’10 and 160 pounds
NHL Central Scouting: 6th (among North American Skaters)
Elite Prospects: 5th
Player Breakdown:
When it comes to the 2023 NHL Draft, the top five players talent wise are firmly locked in: Connor Bedard, Matvei Michkov, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Will Smith. Number six has to be Benson. A prospect who’s a near-lock to a top line forward, Benson is an electric and game breaking forward. He is arguably the best and most creative playmaker available in the upcoming draft.
Benson is a well-rounded scorer made in the mold of the modern NHL. He’s extremely fast and shifty on his skates, and he often dances around defenders while showing off his impressive skating abilities. He has breakaway speed with the puck as well, and once he springs himself for a scoring chance, good luck catching him before the puck is in the back of your own net.
What stands out most about Benson’s game is he is arguably the best and most creative playmaker available in the upcoming draft. Playing this past season with two top 15 picks from the 2022 draft (Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie), Benson was the stand out amongst the talented trio. He was second on his team in assists, and made plays in a variety of ways. If you need him to push the pace on a breakout, he’s game. If you need him to possess the puck in the offensive zone and make a play happen, he’s just as comfortable and adept at that.
What Needs to Improve:
Benson isn’t perfect, but he’s going to be a 25-30 goal scorer at minimum in the NHL. There aren't any glaring holes to his game, and it's hard to select anything that needs to improve before he's ready for the NHL. If he was six feet tall and weighed more than 175 pounds, Benson would be in the discussion for the second overall pick behind Bedard, he’s that good.
What teams will want Benson to improve on is his physicality. He doesn’t engage in the defensive end with the same level of intensity as he does on offense, but it isn’t a true concern with his game.
Benson is committed to playing hard in all 200 feet of ice, but there’s no denying he will be utilized for his offensive prowess at the next level. NHL coaches will want to see a touch more grit and aggression to his defensive play, and that is the only barrier between him and the NHL. What feels more concerning is why teams are possibly willing to let this player slip out of the top 10 due to his size.
NHL Player Comparison: Tim Stutzle
NHL ETA: 2024-25
Benson is right there in terms of NHL readiness. He seems ready to graduate from the junior ranks, but his size will most likely keep him in the WHL for another season. After that, he will be ready to produce at the NHL level, and you want this player on your team when he does.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more!
- Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube
- Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins