Article: Zeev Buium Is A Bona Fide Top Prospect

[Robert Brent]

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[Protec]

Guerin should be fired. 😁

[SkolWild73]

Has anyone heard any rumblings about whether he plans on turning pro after this season?  I think we all feel like he will.  Hoping Denver does not make the Frozen Flour this year since the championship game is on April 12th and the Wild would only have one regular season game left after that.  Would love to have him for the last couple of weeks to see what he brings for a playoff run.

[FredJohnson]

I’m excited to see him next season. I say next season because I assume he makes a deep run at winning another championship and that’d make him available after the Cup playoffs have started.

[MNCountryLife]

The young man is barely 19.  He stands out everywhere on the ice.  Obviously a big jump directly to the N... but I expect him to make it.  He will be a staple on our D-core for a long time.

[Burnt Toast]

7 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

Has anyone heard any rumblings about whether he plans on turning pro after this season?  I think we all feel like he will.

Ya a bunch of rumblings from a lot of people. Russo stated on a recent podcast that folks should be careful to temper their expectations. He went on to mention how Faber is pretty much the exception for a defensive player making an impact upon arrival. I’m optimistic but I’m just going to wait and watch him develop at his own pace. 

[MacGyver]

Ugh here we go again getting way out over our skates about another prospect. Wasn't Wallstedt supposed to be in the Vezina trophy running this year? Now it seems doubtful he's even NHL ready.  I'm hopeful but I have learned to be patient and wait and see.  It's better to be pleasantly surprised than it is to be perpetually disappointed. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Brendan Smith(U of Wisconsin), the only other college D to hit 50 points since 2009, actually accomplished it in his 3rd college season. Buium is already well ahead of the 23 points in 31 games as a sophomore that Brendan Smith had posted and Smith was less productive as a freshman.

Drafted late in the first round of the 2007 NHL draft, Brendan Smith did not have an illustrious point scoring NHL career, but is still lacing up his skates in the NHL at age 36, for the Dallas Stars this season.

[Enforceror]

If/when we make the playoffs, I don't really see Buium being given a shot. With a solid core, the only place for him would be to take over for Chisolm/Merrill. Of course if injuries happen, that would probably change things but even then, would you take Buium over Jiricek at this point?

I'll be excited to see him get a chance next season.

[SkolWild73]

14 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

If/when we make the playoffs, I don't really see Buium being given a shot. With a solid core, the only place for him would be to take over for Chisolm/Merrill. Of course if injuries happen, that would probably change things but even then, would you take Buium over Jiricek at this point?

I'll be excited to see him get a chance next season.

Yea, I don't know.  That is kind of why I am hoping we get him for a couple of weeks at the end of the season to see.  If Denver makes the Frozen Four, we won't have that luxury.

[SkolWild73]

40 minutes ago, FredJohnson said:

I’m excited to see him next season. I say next season because I assume he makes a deep run at winning another championship and that’d make him available after the Cup playoffs have started.

I have another reason I hope they don't make a run.  In case the get put in the same bracket as the Gophers.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

41 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

Hoping Denver does not make the Frozen Flour this year since the championship game is on April 12th and the Wild would only have one regular season game left after that.

Hard to say if the Wild will bring him in immediately like they did with Faber, but it's certainly possible Denver gets eliminated prior to the Frozen Four.

They are currently ranked 6th, but had also fallen to 6th last season around the same time before climbing up to #3 leading into the playoffs and eventually claiming the championship. Current rankings below:

[mnfaninnc]

It is hard to play in the NHL at 19. This is especially true for a defender. He wouldn't even be eligible to play in the A because he's too young. What I am concerned about is his size. Has he taken to the gym like his brother? If the young phenom comes into the league, you can surely bet there are more than a few NHLers who will want to test him in the corners. 

Faber came into the league at about 6'1" 20x. Even then, he learned last year he needed to add strength in the offseason, specifically upper body strength. He struggled against bigger forwards to pin them up against the boards. I think he's been better this season with that aspect. I believe the extra year in college helped Faber. I would not be surprised if it was the route that Buium decided to go...unless he has hit the gym hard!

A few years ago, Guerin went to BC or BU to check on his college prospects. He had dinner with them, where I suppose he would be discussing their future. Both players likely didn't like what they heard because neither one was signed by us. I don't know if Guerin scared them off or if he even does this anymore. Since he's been given responsibility for team USA, maybe he doesn't even have time for that. But, I would think he'd be visiting Buium, perhaps when he's at one of the local universities playing and find out what Buium thinks. 

Faber was easy to track since he is in our backyard. Have the Wild had their eyes on his progression for a lot of games this season? I really don't know. Roberts article was very good and encouraging, and I'm expecting that when Buium does come aboard, he will hit the ground running much like Faber did. My expectations are not tempered, though, I believe he'll start out on the 3rd pairing. 

We know that Merrill wasn't fast enough to play vs. Dallas last time we were in the playoffs. I find it hard to believe he's able to gear up and play this time around. Chisholm could. I think Buium and Jiricek may make a fine pair, and I thought Chisholm and Jiricek playing together was the best pairing this season for Jiricek. 

It would be nice not to have to burn an ELC year with Buium. Since I haven't watched a single game this year with him, I hope he has developed more physically. I think this TDL will give us a hint on what we are going to do. 

Dermott cannot be traded or sent down, he must be put on waivers and probably sent back to Edmonton. Merrill can be sent down if we needed depth, but I think by April, Lambos will have caught him. Chisholm is young at $1m. I think if we see either he or Merrill sold or Dermott put on waivers, this will indicate that Guerin thinks Buium is coming after this year's tournament. 

 

[SkolWild73]

4 hours ago, Burnt Toast said:

Ya a bunch of rumblings from a lot of people. Russo stated on a recent podcast that folks should be careful to temper their expectations. He went on to mention how Faber is pretty much the exception for a defensive player making an impact upon arrival. I’m optimistic but I’m just going to wait and watch him develop at his own pace. 

I agree that Faber was probably the exception and that Zeev's chances of making the postseason roster are probably slim, but it would be nice if he had a couple of weeks of games to see.  If not, hopefully he will be here next year and will save a year of ELC and mnfaninnc mentioned.

[Mateo3xm]

4 hours ago, MacGyver said:

Ugh here we go again getting way out over our skates about another prospect. Wasn't Wallstedt supposed to be in the Vezina trophy running this year? Now it seems doubtful he's even NHL ready.  I'm hopeful but I have learned to be patient and wait and see.  It's better to be pleasantly surprised than it is to be perpetually disappointed. 

What are you talking about? Nobody is saying he’s the second coming of Bobby Orr. People are excited and rightfully so. When you have a player that is doing things that no other player has done such as score 50pts as a true college freshman, there’s good reason to be excited. He also lead his world Junior team to gold and won a National college championship. 

Hes among the leaders in college hockey for points by a defenseman this year and has a bunch of records for the university of Denver. Buium scored more points than Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Adam Fox or Brian Leetch in their freshman year and in three of those players sophomore year. Hes on pace to score even more points than last year if he keeps it up.Do you not realize how special and elite that is?

 I think your apprehension comes from a lack of knowledge. I don’t see too many people saying for sure he’s going to be this or that. I see articles stating what type of company he’s put himself in. I don’t think anyone is comparing walstedt as an elite hall of fame type player.
 

He hasn’t done anything extra ordinary in his career but he has been above his age group by a couple years and has played extremely solid in the best Swedish men’s league. What people don’t seem to realize is that even if you have the most elite goalie in the world, they aren’t going to be able to show that unless they have a very good defense in front of them. I still think walstedt is going to be good but I don’t believe he’s been breaking records and accomplishing things that few players have like Buium.

[Mateo3xm]

4 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Brendan Smith(U of Wisconsin), the only other college D to hit 50 points since 2009, actually accomplished it in his 3rd college season. Buium is already well ahead of the 23 points in 31 games as a sophomore that Brendan Smith had posted and Smith was less productive as a freshman.

Drafted late in the first round of the 2007 NHL draft, Brendan Smith did not have an illustrious point scoring NHL career, but is still lacing up his skates in the NHL at age 36, for the Dallas Stars this season.

Exactly. Buium did this as an 18 yr old. People have no idea how crazy that is.

[Mateo3xm]

4 hours ago, Enforceror said:

If/when we make the playoffs, I don't really see Buium being given a shot. With a solid core, the only place for him would be to take over for Chisolm/Merrill. Of course if injuries happen, that would probably change things but even then, would you take Buium over Jiricek at this point?

I'll be excited to see him get a chance next season.

Buium is a LHD and Jiricek is a RHD

[Burnt Toast]

1 hour ago, SkolWild73 said:

mnfaninnc

I’ve heard about Faber and Zeev of course but who is this mnfaninnc you speak of? 

[Enforceror]

58 minutes ago, Mateo3xm said:

Buium is a LHD and Jiricek is a RHD

Doesn't Buium play either side?

[SkolWild73]

34 minutes ago, Burnt Toast said:

I’ve heard about Faber and Zeev of course but who is this mnfaninnc you speak of? 

Was supposed to say as mnfaninnc  mentioned.  Damn it all

[M_Nels]

9 hours ago, Enforceror said:

Doesn't Buium play either side?

He can but don't think it would be wise to immediately throw a rookie into the fire on his off-hand.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

There are only 3 defensemen in all of the NCAA that are above 1.0 in points per game this season and Buium leads them all at 1.231(tied for 12th among all NCAA skaters).

While he might be considered an offensive defenseman, he is definitely a 2-way player. His coach uses him to shut down top players on the other team and he played at least 29 minutes in both games they played in the frozen 4 last year.

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, Burnt Toast said:

I’ve heard about Faber and Zeev of course but who is this mnfaninnc you speak of?

He's a crusty old veteran who hits like a rock but doesn't skate or shoot very well. Nobody stands in front of the net with this guy...at either end. His crosscheck is lethal and his right hook is a knock out blow!

[Will D. Ness]

11 hours ago, Mateo3xm said:

What are you talking about?

He is talking about the premature anointing of the unproven prospect that happens every year.  It gets old to hop onto the hype train and then to be disappointed when reality melts away the glory of speculation and reveals another young and inexperienced kid going through growing pains.  

What really bothers me though, is how people then turn on the prospect and cry "bust" before moving onto the hype train of the next premature anointing of the unproven prospect.  

[FredJohnson]

11 hours ago, Enforceror said:

Doesn't Buium play either side?

So he goes both ways.