Zach Benson A ‘Competitive’ Option For Capitals At No. 8

When the only other draft-eligible player besting Zach Benson in the WHL last season is the consensus No. 1 NHL draft pick, it’s safe to say that Benson’s future will be bright.

Placing second only to Connor Bedard, Benson finished the 2022-23 season with 98 points (36 goals, 62 assists). While suiting up for the Winnipeg Ice, he also bested 2022 lottery picks Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie, who scored 95 and 77 points, respectively.

“The puck handling, the hockey sense, the skating is all elite to me, but I think what separates him from others is his competitiveness and his drive to make things happen when he’s on the ice,” Central Scouting’s Jean-Francois Damphousse told NHL.com.

“He’s the type of player that seems every shift he’s on the ice, he’s creating offense. Whether it’s with his brain or his skating or his vision, there’s always something happening.”

Benson is ranked the No. 5 North American skater by Central Scouting.

Before the 2023 NHL Draft kicks off on June 28, Washington Hockey Now
is taking a look at the prospects that could be in play
for the Washington Capitals’ No. 8 pick.

Click here for more insight on the draft’s prospects.

Career Stats

Mock Draft Roundup

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman (7-round, June 21): 9th overall by the Montreal Canadiens (projected trade with Detroit)

NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman (June 11): 9th overall by the Detroit Red Wings

NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale (June 11): 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres

The Sporting News’ Bryan Murphy (3.0, June 7): 6th overall by the Arizona Coyotes