Article: Zeev Buium Is A Flawed But NHL-Ready Player

[Neil Urbanski]

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[Backwoodsbob]

I was a fan of Chisholm for most of the season. But he seems to have lost my support over the last couple of months. It's almost like he panics with the puck below the goal line when he gets pressured. Results in a puck turn over or worse, a goal against. I would like to see Buium get slotted in over Chisholm for a game or two to see how he responds the the big league players.

[RedLake]

Buuim is better than all Mild dman except brodin.

[Patrick]

Its all projection at this point.  The only way to find out is to play him and since the Wild are not going to be winning anything with the roster they have now they may as well play him. 

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, Backwoodsbob said:

I was a fan of Chisholm for most of the season. But he seems to have lost my support over the last couple of months. It's almost like he panics with the puck below the goal line when he gets pressured. Results in a puck turn over or worse, a goal against. I would like to see Buium get slotted in over Chisholm for a game or two to see how he responds the the big league players.

I don't remember Chisholm whiffing on pucks last season. Since March, I've seen 3 pretty big whiffs from him that led to grade A chances. Somehow, I believe his confidence got shaken. I have no idea how he can regain it except for a summer reset.

[mnfaninnc]

It sounds like Buium is very coachable. He also probably does what needs to be done. He was captain of USA-

Quote

It’s telling that, in the highlight package below, you’ll mostly see Buium making smart, efficient plays with the puck and less of the dynamic, jaw-dropping plays that populate his other highlight reels.

He made the other people around him the stars and did what needed to be done. As the tournament wore on and a great play was needed, he was there to fill that hole. 

When Faber came into the league, in college, I also thought he "drifted" if I'm picturing the explanation. He shored that up pretty quick. Fast forward to this season, and I wonder if he isn't caught holding the puck longer than he needs to? I would suggest that when Buium gets to the team and the coaches are coaching him up, it might be valuable for Faber to sit in the room and also listen to the coaches saying: "make the simple play, don't look for the perfect play." 

[Citizen Strife]

The Wild play best when they make simple, crisp passes.  The "keep it simple stupid" approach.  They really struggled against San Jose, and just played as free wheeling as an Evason team used to.  That isn't going to fly in trying to win games to secure a playoff spot.  I hope they learned their lessons in the last couple games.  If Buium plays, he's an ace in the hole to have.

I second dumping Chisholm for Buium in short order.  

[Imyourhuckleberry]

1 practice and into the lineup for Buium. Wild injuries continue to mount, but hopefully everyone is alright for the playoffs so Hynes can play whoever he's most confident in. Clearly that will not be Crotty...who played 5:08 in 6 shifts against Vancouver.

[NC Beach Bum]

17 hours ago, RedLake said:

Buuim is better than all Mild dman except brodin.

I would say Brodin and Faber

[NC Beach Bum]

please delete

Edited yesterday at 03:42 PM by NC Beach Bum
mistaken double post

[TCMooch]

Seems stupid to burn a year off his entry level contract for a handful of games. Also he may be offensively ready but I believe he will need a lot more seasoning on the defensive side.

if people are expecting a Brock Faber type run like last year with Zeev this year I think they are going to be disappointed.

[TCMooch]

17 hours ago, RedLake said:

Buuim is better than all Mild dman except brodin.

I mean let’s not just say outlandish runs to say it. He may become That but he is literally not better than all current Wild dmen except Brodin having never set foot on nhl ice

[Neutral Zone Dangles]

1 hour ago, TCMooch said:

Seems stupid to burn a year off his entry level contract for a handful of games. Also he may be offensively ready but I believe he will need a lot more seasoning on the defensive side.

if people are expecting a Brock Faber type run like last year with Zeev this year I think they are going to be disappointed.

Exactly what I’ve been saying. At best he has a decent showing and we still have an early PO exit. This signing isn’t going to be the thing that enables a cup run this year. So why do it now?
 

wonder if this was in Billy G’s 5 year plan… could’ve saved a year of paying more for him. I remember his words at the trade deadline, “it’s not our time, our time will come”. He should’ve been more patient, no wonder cap space seems to disappears. 

[Trade Deadline Hero]

Remember when the Wild thought ol’ Jimmy Sheppard was ready and they completely burnt him out and ruined his career? The Wild were very fortunate that Faber very seamlessly slid into the NHL. Billy should have used way more caution with Buium and let him rest for the summer. I do hope it works out for him, however, since 5 year Bill said “this isn’t our year” I truly don’t understand why he wasted one of Buium’s ELC years. Apparently Guerin is playing 3D chess while we’re playing checkers. 

[Neutral Zone Dangles]

2 minutes ago, Trade Deadline Hero said:

Remember when the Wild thought ol’ Jimmy Sheppard was ready and they completely burnt him out and ruined his career? The Wild were very fortunate that Faber very seamlessly slid into the NHL. Billy should have used way more caution with Buium and let him rest for the summer. I do hope it works out for him, however, since 5 year Bill said “this isn’t our year” I truly don’t understand why he wasted one of Buium’s ELC years. Apparently Guerin is playing 3D chess while we’re playing checkers. 

Billy G is an artist… Picasso or finger painter is yet to be determined…

Edited yesterday at 05:42 PM by Neutral Zone Dangles

[Sam]

12 minutes ago, Trade Deadline Hero said:

Apparently Guerin is playing 3D chess while we’re playing checkers. 

Well he probably can see better considering his eyes can look two ways at once.

Edited yesterday at 05:53 PM by Sam

[AKwildkraken]

2 hours ago, TCMooch said:

Seems stupid to burn a year off his entry level contract for a handful of games. Also he may be offensively ready but I believe he will need a lot more seasoning on the defensive side.

if people are expecting a Brock Faber type run like last year with Zeev this year I think they are going to be disappointed.

I understand the idea of saving a year of his ELC and also not getting too lofty expectations, but put yourself in Zee 's shoes.  The kid put up a second year of Hobey Baker contention, almost won a second NCAA title, not to mention back to back world junior championships.  

This is the prospect that teams dream about and he's earned the right to be signed and start an NHL game.  Why would you piss him off by saying wait another season, you haven't earned it yet?

 

 

[Trade Deadline Hero]

18 minutes ago, AKwildkraken said:

 Why would you piss him off by saying wait another season, you haven't earned it yet?

 

 

It’s not that he hasn’t earned it, it’s because this is a wash of a season and it’s wasting an ELC year. Unfortunately the NHL is a business and waiting for your time is something players have to do. If that “pisses him off” that he can’t play one game and be a part of first round exit then buddy needs to grow up. 

[IllicitFive]

How often are we stating "bring up the kids, let them gets taste so they know what to work on for next year"? View this last game as that, who knows if he plays in the playoffs, but if he shows out, great, if no, then he has tape to work off of for next season. Also better insurance policy for someone getting hurt, I haven't heard about Spurge and what his injury is, Midds is still down, Declan might be head broken currently. I trust the kid who has the track record of high leverage games to give it a shot over some other call ups they've used.

Burning a year might hurt in a couple years due to paying sooner, but think of all the contracts set to come off the roster, plus other young guys coming up to help balance the pay sheet. 

[Neutral Zone Dangles]

28 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

How often are we stating "bring up the kids, let them gets taste so they know what to work on for next year"? View this last game as that, who knows if he plays in the playoffs, but if he shows out, great, if no, then he has tape to work off of for next season. Also better insurance policy for someone getting hurt, I haven't heard about Spurge and what his injury is, Midds is still down, Declan might be head broken currently. I trust the kid who has the track record of high leverage games to give it a shot over some other call ups they've used.

Burning a year might hurt in a couple years due to paying sooner, but think of all the contracts set to come off the roster, plus other young guys coming up to help balance the pay sheet. 

If this kid is as good as everyone thinks he’s going to be, this is going to really hurt in two years when he’s getting his payday instead of league minimum. You know, right when Billy G’s 5 year plan is at its peak. You think it would be nice to have an extra 7/8 mil for another really good player in two years or to give the kid one regular season game and four post season games this year for a dead end season. 
 

Kid could’ve waited for next season to play. Billy G is so ridged on some things regarding ‘his plan’ and keeping to it. Then he does crap like this and perpetuates the status quo of never getting to the next level.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

31 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

I haven't heard about Spurge and what his injury is, Midds is still down, Declan might be head broken currently. I trust the kid who has the track record of high leverage games to give it a shot over some other call ups they've used.

Burning a year might hurt in a couple years due to paying sooner, but think of all the contracts set to come off the roster, plus other young guys coming up to help balance the pay sheet. 

Spurgeon took a puck to the throat and was having some trouble breathing optimally in the Flames game. They gave him a night off in Vancouver, possibly due to swelling that could continue to cause problems, but he might be good to go for the Anaheim game.

Spurgeon's contract runs for 2 seasons after this, so will fall away once Buium is up for his new contract. Guerin expects a lot from his guys, but he's also very player friendly, in my opinion.

Getting Buium some NHL ice time will help him and the Wild better understand what he needs to focus on next season. He might be able to help this playoffs.  Plus, getting him to his next contact sooner might not be better for the Wild long-term. The sooner he gets to that next contract, the lower that next contract will likely be. An extra year of NHL development might lead to another $2-$3M in cap hit for his future deal if he were to really come on strong in that 3rd ELC season.

[Pewterschmidt]

3 hours ago, TCMooch said:

I mean let’s not just say outlandish runs to say it. He may become That but he is literally not better than all current Wild dmen except Brodin having never set foot on nhl ice

#peakprospectinflation

im very interested in how Zeev handles the physicality of the pro game.  That’s certainly why he fell to us in the draft.   He’s the next savior up.  And the wait is over.  

[Neutral Zone Dangles]

23 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Spurgeon's contract runs for 2 seasons after this, so will fall away once Buium is up for his new contract. Guerin expects a lot from his guys, but he's also very player friendly, in my opinion.

Getting Buium some NHL ice time will help him and the Wild better understand what he needs to focus on next season. He might be able to help this playoffs.  Plus, getting him to his next contact sooner might not be better for the Wild long-term. The sooner he gets to that next contract, the lower that next contract will likely be. An extra year of NHL development might lead to another $2-$3M in cap hit for his future deal if he were to really come on strong in that 3rd ELC season.

Aw yes, swap cap hits from sperg to Buium and be in a worse spot praying we have a guy on ELC to fill the void, because that’s what we can afford. I will be shocked if sperg stays here for the remainder of his contract, guy is grossly overpaid. 
 

Brother, how much ice time does this the kid get in five games? I think they know exactly what he needs to focus on for next year already, why they have scouts. 
 

Imagine if we have the cap space for one more good player and actually go on a run, think he’d be open for taking less on his contract to continue that. Or like now, we don’t have that depth/ player and we have to pay him more to stay on a shallow mild team. 

Edited 23 hours ago by Neutral Zone Dangles

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, Trade Deadline Hero said:

I do hope it works out for him, however, since 5 year Bill said “this isn’t our year” I truly don’t understand why he wasted one of Buium’s ELC years.

This is taken a bit out of context. The reference was for spending at the TDL, not signing our guys. As Tony pointed out earlier, you burn the year to entice him to sign. He could have gone back to DU for another year, but we want him in the lineup at least starting next season. Apparently this is common for college players. 

I don't disagree with the logic of waiting, but it seems like that ship has sailed within the league, unless you're a guy like Lorenz who would head directly to Iowa.

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, Neutral Zone Dangles said:

Billy G is an artist… Picasso or finger painter is yet to be determined…

Isn't it obvious? He's a paint by numbers guy!