The Buffalo Sabres locked up an important player for the long term by signing Zach Benson to a seven-year contract worth $52.5 million Wednesday.
General manager Jarmo Kekäläinen called getting a deal done with Benson a priority after the 21-year-old agitating winger’s productive playoff performance.
It’s been a busy week for the Sabres GM. He acquired the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft in a blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks, and also sent veteran forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal, getting a third-round pick in return.
The Sabres hold picks 4 and 20 in the first round of the draft, being held Friday night in Buffalo. Rounds two through seven will be held on Saturday.