Morning Cuppa Hockey

Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson joins Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen on Morning Cuppa Hockey following the signing of his massive seven-year, $7.5 million AAV contract extension.

Before the interview, Jonny and Colby break down Benson’s contract, Buffalo’s collection of team-friendly deals, the possibility of Connor Hellebuyck becoming the Sabres’ missing piece and why Patrick Kane returning home to Buffalo would have been such a great story.

After the conversation with Benson, the guys discuss the Shoulder Check hockey event, its message of supporting teammates and checking in on the people around you, the responsibility star players have to influence an entire dressing room and the importance of positive self-talk. Jonny and Colby also debate the pressure NHL players face in markets such as New York and Toronto, where that pressure really comes from, the relationship between players and the media and why confrontational questions rarely produce meaningful answers.

The show closes with the bet365 Bet of the Day, Buffalo’s chances of returning to the playoffs and an early prediction for the eight Eastern Conference playoff teams.

Morning Cuppa Hockey is presented by bet365 and Proraso.

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Morning Cuppa Hockey begins

0:34 Zach Benson’s seven-year contract extension

3:11 Buffalo’s team-friendly contracts and offseason outlook

4:01 Could Connor Hellebuyck be the Sabres’ missing piece?

4:35 Patrick Kane returns to Chicago instead of Buffalo

6:43 Nation Gear’s Offseason Social Club

7:46 Zach Benson joins the show

7:53 Benson’s summer training in Vancouver

9:43 Going directly from the NHL Draft to the Sabres

11:59 Adjusting to the speed and physicality of playoff hockey

12:56 Benson’s incredible first NHL goal and offensive confidence

13:25 Buffalo’s unforgettable Game 1 playoff comeback

16:02 Lindy Ruff’s leadership during Buffalo’s difficult start

17:27 When the Sabres realized they were a legitimate contender

19:41 Alex Tuch’s departure and Buffalo’s leadership void

21:02 Benson’s chemistry with Josh Doan and Josh Norris

22:14 Benson’s personal goals for next season

23:28 Benson’s friendship with Tage Thompson

25:28 The biggest personalities in Buffalo’s locker room

25:58 Benson admits he secretly cut Alex Tuch’s skate laces

27:15 Benson’s first major purchase after signing his contract

28:08 The Blade Gang and Buffalo’s playoff atmosphere

29:18 Playing playoff games in Boston and Montreal

30:37 Preparing for Game 7

31:38 Scoring a game-winner on his 21st birthday

32:15 Buffalo’s returning core and expectations for next season

33:23 Living alone, Uber Eats and Benson’s favourite Buffalo restaurant

34:29 Is Zach Benson actually cheap?

36:41 Zach Benson interview concludes

38:02 Jonny’s experience at the Shoulder Check hockey event

40:44 NHL stars come together at Sacred Heart

42:33 How star players influence their teammates

46:20 Positive self-talk and mental performance

47:17 Is there pressure playing NHL hockey in New York?

49:46 The internal pressure professional athletes put on themselves

52:12 Pressure as a privilege in major hockey markets

55:32 Does media coverage determine how much pressure players face?

57:36 Player interviews, difficult questions and building trust

59:01 There are no bad players in the NHL

59:57 Setting up the bet365 Bet of the Day

1:00:38 Buffalo Sabres to make the playoffs

1:01:19 Early Eastern Conference playoff predictions

1:02:08 Could the Toronto Maple Leafs miss the playoffs?

1:03:02 David Carle joins the show next week

1:03:29 Final thoughts on Zach Benson and the Sabres

1:04:43 Outro

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