Article: Faber and Buium Could Be Pillars For the Next Decade

[RazWild]

On 1/21/2025 at 8:05 AM, MNCountryLife said:

Brodin is 31 and will likely be around for another 4 years.  Mids and Chisholm are still in their 20s and playing solid hockey.  Mids, Faber, Buium, Brodin, Zeev, Jiricek, Chisholm.  That is 7 D-men that will be playing at a very high level over the next 4 to 8 years.  Lambos and Kiv will have a difficult time breaking into the lineup.  They may end up on the trade block.

Err... this is entirely my point.

We only realistically have another 4 years or so of Brodin. The Wild will need someone to replace him in the top 4 by that point.

While Jiricek will likely replace Spurgeon in the next year or two, we don't necessarily have anyone in the system beyond either Lambos or Kiviharju with 2nd pairing upside and potential on that left side. While they'll be limited to a 3rd pairing role for the next several seasons and get only select time on the 2nd pairing with likely injuries, the Wild will still need them to become that or they're left without options barring a future trade or FA.

Frankly, Chisholm isn't an option. He's blocked and left redundant the second Buium makes the NHL roster. With Brodin, Buium, and Middleton ahead of him on the left side that automatically pushes him down to the 7th D spot at best moving forward. Given that, he's likely gone after this season, whether by trade or UFA, and can't be counted on to be here in 4 years. Once Brodin is gone. He's proven that he's not only ready and good enough to be in the NHL, likely as a 2nd pairing guy somewhere. But he's worth the $4-5M per that comes with that. A player of his skill and ability isn't going to sit in a press box and just willingly be the 7th D when he can get better playing time and money elsewhere. So Guerin is unlikely to bring Chisholm back for those reasons. 

What this does, going forward, means that Lambos is our likely 7th D. With Chisholm gone. Especially next year. And at some point we'll need either him or Kiviharju to step up and replace Brodin.

Getting a future replacement from the draft isn't an option going forward, due to the fact it would take 4-5+ years for any prospect to develop in time for a replacement. So that's a no go.

Again, barring a future trade or FA signing. Lambos or Kiviharju are our only options to hit on that replacement. 

[MNCountryLife]

On 1/24/2025 at 9:30 PM, RazWild said:

What this does, going forward, means that Lambos is our likely 7th D. With Chisholm gone. Especially next year. And at some point we'll need either him or Kiviharju to step up and replace Brodin.

Getting a future replacement from the draft isn't an option going forward, due to the fact it would take 4-5+ years for any prospect to develop in time for a replacement. So that's a no go.

Again, barring a future trade or FA signing. Lambos or Kiviharju are our only options to hit on that replacement. 

Obviously I have no idea what BG is thinking... but I think he has quite a few options.  I know there are some that say Chisholm has capped and is as good as he is going to get.  I disagree.  I think he is  still getting better and there is a place for him here.  If he does leave I don't know why a draft pick couldn't solve the D issue.  Brodin will be around at least 4 years and getting a D man in the draft with 4 years to move up should be viable.  If not I would think either Lambos or Kiv steps up.  Or we could trade for one.  All options are on the table.  I wouldn't limit myself.  The D is not my real concern.  I think we will be very solid here.  I do have concerns with the forwards.

[Pablo]

On 1/24/2025 at 9:30 PM, RazWild said:

Err... this is entirely my point.

We only realistically have another 4 years or so of Brodin. The Wild will need someone to replace him in the top 4 by that point.

While Jiricek will likely replace Spurgeon in the next year or two, we don't necessarily have anyone in the system beyond either Lambos or Kiviharju with 2nd pairing upside and potential on that left side. While they'll be limited to a 3rd pairing role for the next several seasons and get only select time on the 2nd pairing with likely injuries, the Wild will still need them to become that or they're left without options barring a future trade or FA.

Frankly, Chisholm isn't an option. He's blocked and left redundant the second Buium makes the NHL roster. With Brodin, Buium, and Middleton ahead of him on the left side that automatically pushes him down to the 7th D spot at best moving forward. Given that, he's likely gone after this season, whether by trade or UFA, and can't be counted on to be here in 4 years. Once Brodin is gone. He's proven that he's not only ready and good enough to be in the NHL, likely as a 2nd pairing guy somewhere. But he's worth the $4-5M per that comes with that. A player of his skill and ability isn't going to sit in a press box and just willingly be the 7th D when he can get better playing time and money elsewhere. So Guerin is unlikely to bring Chisholm back for those reasons. 

What this does, going forward, means that Lambos is our likely 7th D. With Chisholm gone. Especially next year. And at some point we'll need either him or Kiviharju to step up and replace Brodin.

Getting a future replacement from the draft isn't an option going forward, due to the fact it would take 4-5+ years for any prospect to develop in time for a replacement. So that's a no go.

Again, barring a future trade or FA signing. Lambos or Kiviharju are our only options to hit on that replacement. 

I would not bet against lambos getting a top 4 blue line spot in 27. There is always a way in the future but it won’t likely come cheap thru a draft pick.