Sabres undecided on Canadian world junior option for Zach Benson

The Buffalo Sabres aren’t ready to say if they will loan Zach Benson to Canada’s world junior team just yet.

The team’s first-round pick (13th overall) in June, Benson, 18, has one goal and four assists in 12 games with the Sabres this season.

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams told reporters Wednesday he wants to see how Benson’s situation plays out over the next week or so before making a decision, per Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News.

Benson is one of four players from the 2023 NHL Draft still in the league, joining Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks, Canada), Leo Carlsson (Anaheim Ducks, Sweden) and Adam Fantilli (Columbus Blue Jackets, Canada), who went 1-2-3.

If a player on an entry-level contract plays 10 games or more with his NHL team, his contract cannot “slide” or extend a year when it comes to the salary cap. In other words, a contract signed for three seasons kicks in immediately, and not the following season.

Canada’s world junior selection camp starts Dec. 10 in Oakville, Ont. The tournament begins Dec. 26 in Sweden.

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