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  • Wild Trade Up To Select Defenseman Zeev Buium At 12th Overall


    Image courtesy of © Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
    Thomas Williams

    The Minnesota Wild saw a player dropping through the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and took full advantage. Announced right before the 12th overall pick, the Wild trade with the Philadelphia Flyers to move up exactly one slot and get a very good defenseman.

    For the 13th overall pick and a 2025 third-round pick, the Wild moved up and selected University of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium. A player that was projected go anywhere from third overall, to anywhere else in the first 10 selections -- and the Wild got him at 12th overall.

    Buium was simply one of the most electric defensemen in college hockey last season, as one of the youngest blueliners in the NCAA. He scored 11 goals and 50 points in just 42 points as a freshman, something that is very, very rarely seen. Purely, he is a special talent and the Wild knew almost immediately to take full advantage of him slipping -- just like they did with goaltender Jesper Wallstedt a few years ago.

    What exactly is Buium like on the ice? We turn to our friends at Elite Prospects:

    "Zeev Buium was the best draft-eligible defender in all of college hockey this year – maybe one of the best in the country, period. The counting stats tell that story well enough, but further scrutiny only bears this out in more stark relief. Because it’s one thing for a defenceman to lead the country in scoring at well north of a point a game clip as a 17- and 18-year-old freshman; it’s another entirely to do it while handling the assignments laid at his feet.

    "Buium started the year at the top of Denver’s depth chart, and that’s where he finished it. All told, he played 1084:55 all-situations minutes, the most of anyone in college, 18 clear of second place with two games in hand. He took on the opposition’s best, night in and night out, and escaped with a plus-32 goal differential at evens, the third-best mark in the nation. All the while chipping in with 50 points in 42 contests – the most ever by a first-time draft-eligible blueliner. For many, watching Buium this year elicited memories of Quinn Hughes back in 2018, an altogether reasonable response given the similarity of their profiles"

    That is some praise.

    Next up, the Wild will start their second day of the 2024 NHL Draft with the 45th overall selection in Round 2.

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    9 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

    I'm saying that tying up all that money into players that are going to give the team diminishing returns means they can't spend (or trade for) players to make the team better in the long run. They won't have flexibility.

    sure agree. but thats where we are. i think i mentioned before that i think GMs are idiots. 💩

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    4 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

    I'm saying that tying up all that money into players that are going to give the team diminishing returns means they can't spend (or trade for) players to make the team better in the long run. They won't have flexibility.

    The risk on spending in free agency or trades is just as real.  The Kings made that PLD deal after all.  Still shocked they managed their way out of that somehow.

    So there is risk on many fronts.

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    7 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

    Kaprizov likes winning. That's it. He needs immediate help. Instead he gets a pick. A prospect. No immediate help. What's he thinking next? HAHAHA Maybe how he loves being physically dominated by Central Division or how the team is doing nothing in terms of showing that they view him as priority ONE? nah he like the pick ....argh people

    Immediate help could be starting the season with another helper, or have that help within a season. I believe Buium to be ready by next season, and to play at a very high level. I believe that Denver is bringing back most of their squad, so it might be a long NCAA tournament again for Buium, but, he could join the team right after that tournament and show up much like Faber did in '23. 

    As for the start of the season, Laine wasn't going to get a 1st round pick. So far, I think there is a deal to be made here. That is instant 30 goal addition. Rutger McGroarty is more of a risk, but I think the ask was too high from Winnipeg. Perhaps a deal can be made there, but I think they're more reluctant to give him up.

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    2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    Immediate help could be starting the season with another helper, or have that help within a season. I believe Buium to be ready by next season, and to play at a very high level. I believe that Denver is bringing back most of their squad, so it might be a long NCAA tournament again for Buium, but, he could join the team right after that tournament and show up much like Faber did in '23. 

    As for the start of the season, Laine wasn't going to get a 1st round pick. So far, I think there is a deal to be made here. That is instant 30 goal addition. Rutger McGroarty is more of a risk, but I think the ask was too high from Winnipeg. Perhaps a deal can be made there, but I think they're more reluctant to give him up.

    what kind of an impact are we talking about here? i see it as very minimal. we have our top 4 D set, as i am hearing Midds will get his $ and term. So thats top 4. Chissy is here with Bogo as 3rd pair. Are we saying Zeev is going to come in as a sub for bottom 3? wowza that's very exciting.

    and if he is still raw and not ready? no worries - wild have one of the best prospects in NHL - that D has been marinating quiet well and will surely impress! or not yet? few more years? (Hunt? Johansson? Lambos? Masters? O'Rourke? Peart? Spacek?) 

    Maybe instead let's hold the excitement a bit. So we did nothing yet with our biggest need - which is to improve the team NOW. 

    I would stay away from Laine (i already wrote on him before). Potentially i would prefer we use Zeev, Rossi, and other assets to get a proven scorer that would move either EK or Boldy down one line. And then aggressively push for Guentzel or Marchy signing. It's all doable but require planning and execution. Something i don't see with Wild. 

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    10 hours ago, Protec said:

    Getting a top NCAA guy who's already won a Championship and who is on a team with another Wild prospect is an added bonus. Knowing those guys stepped up in big games is also good to see.

    ^^^ this all day

     having a guy who raises his game when the lights are brighter (against top competition who are also raising their games) is a guy you want on your roster.  More high compete guys with a spine is better than less

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    11 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    From the Kaprizov angle, I'd think he'd like the pick. I'm sure one thing Kaprizov noticed was that our defensive corps needs some help

    Agree.  Who does 97 have more confidence he can make a hockey play with:  midzy or Z?   Eventually it’s Z Bubble in landslide.   Eiserman must have more skeletons than just not liking to backcheck. 

    Edited by Pewterschmidt
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    10 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

    which offensive players? do tell? stramel? maybe that mysterious yurov? maybe golfer boldy? don't worry Kap will be on another team. but freddy g will still be here! 

    i won't let you celebrate idiocy. argh i feel like joe bauers!

    When I said offensive players I meant players that play offense, you know wingers and centers, commonly called forwards, you know ones like Kap.  So you want the Wild to unload stamel (propect so who knows what he will be) Yurov ( Very highly thought of but still an unknown until he shows up in the NHL) Boldy ( who had 29 g 40 a in 75 games)? But as you stated in another post keep Hartman ( 21 g and 24 a in 74 games) and is 6 years older than Boldy? What point are you trying to make here?

    Keev was shown in mocks by actual experts as a top 5 pick at times. But it was a dumb selection at 12? How so? Your crystal ball showing his career already?

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    3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    As for the start of the season, Laine wasn't going to get a 1st round pick. So far, I think there is a deal to be made here.

    I think I’d rather hear you talk about Brady Katsup coming to the Wild

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    3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    Rutger McGroarty is more of a risk, but I think the ask was too high from Winnipeg.

    Honest question: Rossi for McG straight up.   Yes or No?

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    13 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Agree.  Who does 97 have more confidence he can make a hockey play with:  midzy or Z?   Eventually it’s Z Bubble in landslide.   Eiserman must have more skeletons than just not liking to backcheck. 

    Yeah there is something about Eiserman that made GM's run for the hills.

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    12 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Honest question: Rossi for McG straight up.   Yes or No?

    No.  Rossi's already gotten 20 goals in a season, and a solid defensive center to boot.  McG is a couple years away from doing anything.  Heidt, Yurov, McG: no track record in the NHL with the Wild.  Rossi already has proven to be at worst the 2nd best center behind Ek, and will probably outdo that.

    Edited by Citizen Strife
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    1 minute ago, Citizen Strife said:

    No.  Rossi's already gotten 20 goals in a season, and a solid defensive center to boot.  McG is a couple years away from doing anything.

    I ask the question b/c jets will want a kings ransom to trade mcg to intra division rival.  I’d guess Rossi would get it done

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    It's kinda like the Laine question.  I understand using Rossi as a bargaining chip, but you need to know what you're getting in return.  Laine is a glass cannon, and McG has "potential."  Rossi could slip on a banana peel next year and fall like Gus did.

    Maybe I'm just a risk averse person by nature, but when you know you have a good thing, just don't fuck it up.

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    32 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

    When I said offensive players I meant players that play offense, you know wingers and centers, commonly called forwards, you know ones like Kap.  So you want the Wild to unload stamel (propect so who knows what he will be) Yurov ( Very highly thought of but still an unknown until he shows up in the NHL) Boldy ( who had 29 g 40 a in 75 games)? But as you stated in another post keep Hartman ( 21 g and 24 a in 74 games) and is 6 years older than Boldy? What point are you trying to make here?

    Keev was shown in mocks by actual experts as a top 5 pick at times. But it was a dumb selection at 12? How so? Your crystal ball showing his career already?

    my point is that you have to pay up to get what you want. harty will not get you that. Yurov, Prospects, Boldy, Rossi, picks - these are our assets. that is what is coveted by other teams. get it?

    i could care less about mock drafts. predicting what the kid is going to be few years down the road? very exciting. did they predict good thing for Hunt? O'Rourke? or maybe Johansen? or did we just f#cked up? 

    go be excited about a prospect. moronic! Kap is going to walk at this pace, but we are worrying about some prospect that may or may not be good. 🤔

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    20 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

    my point is that you have to pay up to get what you want. harty will not get you that. Yurov, Prospects, Boldy, Rossi, picks - these are our assets. that is what is coveted by other teams. get it?

    i could care less about mock drafts. predicting what the kid is going to be few years down the road? very exciting. did they predict good thing for Hunt? O'Rourke? or maybe Johansen? or did we just f#cked up? 

    go be excited about a prospect. moronic! Kap is going to walk at this pace, but we are worrying about some prospect that may or may not be good. 🤔

    Because Kap is gonna hoist the cup all alone. Let's trade our top players, in a group, for 1 player.... That's how you get a team of Freddie g my dude. Ship off all prospects so there is nobody to fill in a roster if anyone gets hurt or, you know if the team lasts longer than a year. Keep getting mad that they got what is considered a high end prospect and didn't ship off half the team and all future picks for 2 players.... So dumb

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    1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Honest question: Rossi for McG straight up.   Yes or No?

    Personally, I'd keep Rossi. I think it would be a pick or a prospect that would go. McGroarty, for me, is adding to Rossi's line.

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    1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    I ask the question b/c jets will want a kings ransom to trade mcg to intra division rival.  I’d guess Rossi would get it done

    If that's the case, then I'd stay away from McGroarty. I don't think he's worth a King's ransom. I could see another prospect, or package a couple of prospects together. Sure, Winnipeg wants to win now, but what do they want? I'd also trade an older roster player if that's needed. If Rossi's their guy, I'd say pass...at least this year.

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    1 hour ago, IllicitFive said:

    Because Kap is gonna hoist the cup all alone. Let's trade our top players, in a group, for 1 player.... That's how you get a team of Freddie g my dude. Ship off all prospects so there is nobody to fill in a roster if anyone gets hurt or, you know if the team lasts longer than a year. Keep getting mad that they got what is considered a high end prospect and didn't ship off half the team and all future picks for 2 players.... So dumb

    Because Kap is gonna hoist the cup all alone. i never said that. 

    Let's trade our top players, in a group, for 1 player your top player is Kaprizov, with Ek as a good tier below player. And yes to get something good, you usually pay something good. 

    That's how you get a team of Freddie g my dude by doing calculated trades and using good assets, you usually get a good player back. you and billy may not understand that, but that is what smart trading boils down to.

    Ship off all prospects so there is nobody to fill in a roster if anyone gets hurt or, you know if the team lasts longer than a year. don't be silly, there are many more high end prospect in wild system. just ready to kick that door and blossom. 🌻

    Keep getting mad that they got what is considered a high end prospect and didn't ship off half the team and all future picks for 2 players.... So dumb F#CK man do you not understand the point that we need to show that we can win now? this year! does getting a prospect do that? yeah very dumb to prioritize your best player and be agile with the timeline. nope prospect good, freddy g bad. ok genius 

    Edited by OldDutchChip
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    I get ODC's point of view, I just don't really agree with it. He'd rather have established NHLers to play with Kaprizov and keep him happy. 

    I just don't think that was ever the plan. I think Shooter's plan was to re-XXXX, develop them, and as a group bring them in pretty much together. 

    I don't think that adding free agents and trading is the best way to build the championship roster. It's getting a group of young players together around the same age. They're coming. They're getting better. I also think Kaprizov can see it and likes what he sees coming. 

    I'm really not that interested in trading potential stars for middle 6 forwards. I think we can do better than that, though, they won't be proven. But, at some point, when Kaprizov came over, we didn't know how good he'd be. Faber hit the ground running. I think some of these other guys might do the same.

    I think the best summary is that I'm on a different timeline than ODC.

    Edited by mnfaninnc
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    2 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Agree.  Who does 97 have more confidence he can make a hockey play with:  midzy or Z?   Eventually it’s Z Bubble in landslide.   Eiserman must have more skeletons than just not liking to backcheck. 

    he probably has more confidence playing say..... with his buddy svechnikov? or panarin? or shit maybe even ovi for a year? or maybe go to philly and play with mitchkov? or hughes in jersey? or kuch in tampa? or bedard in chicago? no you right, its with this rookie phenom on the wild. and i am sure the added benefit of dragging his team/teammates thru the season, all while getting pummeled day after day with no repercussion is just an added bonus? why don't we also give faber 10 mil and captaincy today, cause he is the team. 

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    25 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

    He'd rather have established NHLers to play with Kaprizov and keep him happy. 

    I just don't think that was ever the plan. I think Shooter's plan was to re-XXXX, develop them, and as a group bring them in pretty much together. 

    If Guerin’s plan is to run an endless list of Adam Beckman’s thru 97’s line for next few years he should be fired today

    i believe the plan is to go out and buy an ufa as 97 wingman next offseason and hope prospects fill holes in middle six

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    Ads and page reloads are killing the mobile experience again today.  Should survey how many regular commenters use mobile vs desktop to see what % is affected.  

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    2 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    believe the plan is to go out and buy an ufa as 97 wingman next offseason

    This is why it’s so easy to give up a 3rd next year.  That $ is going to free agents next summer and beyond

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    31 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Ads and page reloads are killing the mobile experience again today.  Should survey how many regular commenters use mobile vs desktop to see what % is affected.

    All typing is done on a laptop. I hit too many bad letters on a phone. It would be really frustrating without the ads for me.

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