Zach Benson is staying in Buffalo.
Benson and the Sabres have agreed to a seven-year contract worth $52.5 million, the team announced on Wednesday.
Benson, 21, was a restricted free agent this off-season after playing this past season in the final year of a three-year, $2.85 million deal.
The native of Chilliwack, BC continued the steady improvement that pushed Buffalo to make this commitment - in 65 games this past year, Benson scored a career-high 13 goals and finished with a career-best 43 points to help the Sabres snap their 14-season playoff drought.
Benson continued his production into the postseason, where he tallied five goals and nine points over 13 games, as the Sabres were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Benson was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and made his debut with the team that season.
This news comes on the heels of Buffalo agreeing to deal forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals earlier in the day on Wednesday. They acquired forward David Kampf and a third-round draft pick in the deal.
In 211 career NHL games, Benson has 34 goals and 101 points.
