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  • Zeev Buium Pick Is A Marriage Of Wild Needs And Best Player Available


    Image courtesy of Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
    Tony Abbott

    By far, the most popular person at the Draft is "Best Player Available." Ask a group of fans who their team should take, and it won't be long before ol' BPA's name starts coming up. And honestly, why shouldn't a fan not want their team to take Best Player Available? It's not like they're not going to find someone else that's better.

    Last year, the Minnesota Wild were roundly criticized for picking Charlie Stramel over Gabriel Perreault. Minnesota was trying to address an organizational need, prioritizing a big center over a smaller, slower winger. Still, the criticism only intensified after Perreault dominated at Boston College and Stramel struggled for minutes at Wisconsin. It led fans to beg this year for Minnesota to simply take "Best Player Available" in 2024.

    The Wild entered the 2024 NHL Draft needing a premier defenseman in their pipeline. They graduated Calder Trophy runner-up Brock Faber last year, but in the system, blueliners like Carson Lambos (Round 1, 2021), Ryan O'Rourke (Round 2, 2020), and Daemon Hunt (Round 3, 2020) have failed to launch. Luckily for Minnesota, the Wild were able to fill their biggest need and take the clear-cut Best Player Available in Zeev Buium.

    It's a pretty rare pairing to get outside of the top, top picks of the Draft, as there is rarely a bona-fide, slam-dunk Best Player Available outside of the very top of the draft. For example, on his 2024 Draft Board, Corey Pronman groups his prospects into tiers. Here's how many players there are per tier:

    Tier 1 (Elite NHL Player): 1
    Tier 2 (Elite/NHL All-Star Bubble): 1
    Tier 3 (NHL All-Star): 3
    Tier 4 (All-Star/Top-of-the-Lineup Bubble): 3
    Tier 5 (Top-of-the-Lineup Player): 3
    Tier 6 (Top/Middle-of-the-Lineup Bubble: 7
    Tier 7 (Middle-of-the-Lineup Player): 21
    Tier 8 (Projected NHLers): 34
    Tier 9 (Has a Chance): 56

    It thins out fast, and there's often little distinction between the player that's considered BPA, and the next guy. Sure, scouts number their lists, because when push comes to shove, you've got to take someone. But the guys who are obviously head-and-shoulders over the next player are gone early, because well... they're obviously better.

    For example, Buium (ranked No. 5 overall by Pronman, Tier 3), wasn't going to be available at pick No. 13 for the Wild. Had the Philadelphia Flyers "Stick and Pick"ed at 12th overall, or another team out-bid Minnesota's offer of a third-rounder to move up one spot, Buium would surely have been gone. At that point, the Wild would have (likely) decided to draft the BPA or do a slight reach for the next-best defenseman. Their trade ensured that didn't have to happen. Judd Brackett got His Guy.

    Pronman putting Buium No. 5 in the draft class was far from an outlier. Scott Wheeler at The Athletic ranked Buium No. 4TSN's Bob McKenzie, who compiles NHL scouts' opinions to create his rankings every year, had Buium at No. 7 on his final draft list. McKenzie's colleague Craig Button had him fourth. Elite Prospects had him seventh. There were some outlets, such as Elite Prospects, that had Konsta Helenius (No. 14 overall, Buffalo Sabres) ranked above Buium, but in most people's opinions, Buium was the slam-dunk Best Player Available.

    And again, this Top-4-to-7 player in the draft not only fell to the Wild's range, but perfectly fits their needs. It goes beyond the fact that the Wild needed a defenseman, or a bona fide, top-pairing-caliber left-shot defenseman as a counterpart to the right-shot Faber. For all the talk about the Wild needing to add size to their blueline, the organization was completely devoid of the sheer levels of offensive upside Buium brings to the table.

    If the likes of Lambos, Hunt, O'Rourke, Jack Peart (Round 2, 2021), or David Spacek (Round 5, 2022) pan out, they'll be largely in the same mold. They can skate, they can defend, they can play two-way hockey, but they aren't flashy. Even Faber, who surprised the NHL by being strong on the power play as a rookie, doesn't have that elite level of skill and creativity. 

    You're going to hear a lot about Buium's hockey sense and offensive awareness, but that doesn't mean we should overlook his raw skill level. He can weave pucks through or around defenders with crazy moves, while showing enough puck control to place them right on his teammates' sticks. McKeen's Hockey rated him as the No. 4 Playmaker in the Draft and the No. 7 Best Puckhandler. Both of these lists include forwards, with him being behind only Macklin Celebrini (No. 1 overall), defenseman Zayne Parekh (No. 9), and Berkly Catton (No.8) on both lists.

    But then, dear readers, there is the hockey sense. Buium works the ice like a board game, concealing his intentions from his adversaries like he's playing Risk, building roads for the puck like he's playing Catan, and making his opponents pay like he's playing Monopoly. "His [skating] and deception have gone from a strength to a game-breaking (or darn near) quality," says Wheeler in his rankings. "His head is always on a swivel."

    As great as Buium is in the offensive zone, his puck-moving ability is perhaps every bit as rare and critical in the Wild system. While Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, and Faber have puck-moving chops, they don't get the sheer amount of clear, easy breakouts that Buium did at Denver last season. Exiting their own zone and entering the offensive zone tends to be a shortcoming for Minnesota, and Buium can fit nicely as the Wild's top puck-carrier in short order.

    Elite Prospects, who ranked Buium as the best transition defenseman in the draft (as well as the No. 4 offensive defenseman), goes into detail about his breakout game in their Draft Guide. "Buium scans ahead of each retrieval, plans his escape route in advance of collecting the puck, makes sure to draw in at least one forechecker, and then beats them with near-comical ease." His brain, feet, and hands work in concert to deliver something even better than the sum of their impressive parts.

    All of that is great, these are the kinds of skills Minnesota doesn't get picking in the mid-teens to late-20s in most drafts. On top of all of these great things, though, we have his production, which could not have been better for the freshman. Buium finished second on his team with 50 points (Florida Panthers forward prospect Jack Devine was first with 56), and 10th overall in NCAA scoring. 

    He was not just the top-scoring defenseman in the country this year (as a freshman!!!), but he also has the record for the most points of any draft-eligible defenseman, ever. Since 1977-78, that record was held by the University of Minnesota-Duluth's Curt Giles (49 points), who went on to have a long career with the Minnesota North Stars. In comes Buium, and a nearly 50-year-old record falls.

    So if he stacks up well against college defensemen from the high-flying, stand-up goalie 70s, how much farther ahead is he in front of recent draft-eligible NCAA defensemen? Let's take a look at the top players since 2000:

    1. ZEEV BUIUM, 2023-24: 11 goals, 50 points (42 GP)
    2. Artyom Levshunov, 2023-24: 9 goals, 35 points (38 GP)
    T-3. Quinn Hughes, 2017-18: 5 goals, 29 points (37 GP)
    T-3. A.J. Thelen, 2003-04: 11 goals, 29 points (41 GP)
    5. Adam Clendining, 2010-11: 5 goals, 26 points (39 GP)
    T-6. Zach Werenski, 2014-15: 9 goals, 25 points (35 GP)
    T-6. Charlie MacAvoy, 2015-16: 3 goals, 25 points (37 GP)
    8. Noah Hanifin, 2014-15: 5 goals, 23 points (37 GP)
    T-9. Owen Power, 2020-21: 3 goals, 16 points (26 GP)
    T-9. Cullen Eddy, 2006-07: 5 goals, 16 points (35 GP)

    The top of this list is chock-full of extremely impressive names. Even Thelen, who went on to be a bust for Minnesota, at least has a claim to being the most impressive bust in Wild history. But in all seriousness, topping 2024 No. 2 overall pick (and new Chicago Blackhawk) Levshunov, 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner Hughes, 2021 No. 1 overall pick Power, and high-end defensemen like Werenski, MacAvoy, and Hanifin, is attention-grabbing.

    So is being the most important player on a championship team as a freshman. According to Elite Prospects, Buium played the most all-situation minutes in the NCAA last year (coming out to 25 minutes and 50 seconds per game). He wasn't a power-play specialist, Denver threw him over the boards as much as he could handle, and it still wasn't too much.

    This includes 29:29 of ice time in the Frozen Four Final, where he held a Boston College lineup including first-round picks in Perreault, Will Smith, Cutter Gauthier, and Ryan Leonard to zero points. He also got the assist on Wild prospect Rieger Lorenz' 2-0 goal in the second period, which would stand as the final score. This play was featured in a highlight reel above, but let's watch the biggest point of Buium's life again.

    Yes, 12 teams passed on him (counting the Flyers, who made the trade with Minnesota), but they did so at their own risk. Buium's talents weren't unknown to the rest of the NHL, as evidenced by the scramble to the Philadelphia phone lines when Buium was for the taking at 12th overall. 

    "He seems so safe. I think he has some Adam Fox to him. Talk about elite brain power, vision, deception," says an NHL scout before issuing a warning to the Blackhawks and 10 other teams. "Levshunov is going to go higher because of his size and strength. I get that. But it's hard to pass on Buium. I'd be losing sleep with that."

    Brackett didn't pass on Buium, and he had absolutely zero reason to. He got the guy everyone wants: Best Player Available. And as luck would have it, our friend BPA slots in exactly in that prototypical, power-play quarterbacking No. 1 defenseman mold that his organization was missing. It's very rare for a team starting with the No. 13 pick to have the draft break their way quite as well as it did for the Wild.

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    Great write-up.  I thought we'd have to trade into the top 7 to get him, but as luck would have it.

    I was surprised at first that we had to trade up one spot, but I bet another team had their eye on him at #12 pick.  It was worth giving up a third next year for him.

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    Faber took his place as #1 almost by force and necessity this season.  Imagine getting a second shot at that a season or two later.  No guarantees, but their potential could be frightening.  Brodin and Spurgeon aren't getting any younger.  Finding a potential #1 for a minimal 3rd round cost is about the best the team could have done.  Helenius or Eiserman would have been cool, but this was sheer luck.

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    Could MN have another defenseman Calder candidate?

    The Wild have some guys who can score. This kind of player on the point who can elude & pass will be setting up #97 one-timers with style.

    Gonna be fun to see who MN can add today. Playing with house money so to speak.

    I never would have thought Buium falls out of the top 10. Parekh had a lot of success in the OHL, imagine if that was the league Buium was playing in? More games against younger competition and you might have seen 100pts.

    His style of play is not reliant on size. His mobility and positioning is like Brodin but offensively he's much more dangerous. Comfortable on the attack, great puck protection. NHL wings will be able to defend much better than college players but he's capable of diving into the zone much more effectively than the Middletons, Brodins, or Chisholms who are more apt to make space just to wrist one on goal. Still solid defense making those safe, simple plays, but Buium is way more dynamic. Outstanding Freshman numbers.

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    Can't believe he was there for us. Huge assist to Anaheim for snagging Sennecke at #3. Pushed him down to us. I wonder if SJ had gone Buium whether Philly would've stayed and picked Dickinson? 

    Either way, huge get for us. This team is gonna be full of talent in a couple seasons. 

    Yurov-Heidt-Kaprizov

    Boldy-Ek-Laine

    Ohgren-Rossi-Hartman

    Gaudreau-Khusnutdinov-Foligno

    Buium-Faber

    Chisholm-Brodin

    Lambos-Middleton

    Wallstedt

    Gus

     

    Idk.. I'm pretty excited! 

     

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    This includes 29:29 of ice time in the Frozen Four Final, where he held a Boston College lineup including first-round picks in Perreault, Will Smith, Cutter Gauthier, and Ryan Leonard to zero points. 
     

    this gives me tingles.  This isn’t points and TOI in an obscure spritzer league against a lineup of  nojo’s.  This is big game big league action that Z Boo is working like it’s his job.  I was against drafting another d-man but I am very happy to get this one

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    BPA at 12 is a fair assessment and it was the right pick.  Excellent pick really.  

    My concerns are that Zeev isn't built for playoff hockey and the Wild have once again fallen into the trap of drafting the "smaller dude who fell in the draft".

    Are we putting together a team of small speedy guys that are just going to be bowling pins when the game tightens up in the playoffs?  

    Florida basically went to the drawing board to get rid of their "high flying presidents trophy team" and did a 180 to create their "nose to the grindstone disciplined team".  The results speak for themselves.

    Great pick though, and worst case is he becomes a valued asset.

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    10 minutes ago, Will D. Ness said:

    My concerns are that Zeev isn't built for playoff hockey and the Wild have once again fallen into the trap of drafting the "smaller dude who fell in the draft".

    His brother is around 6'4". I wonder if Zeev Buium might be closer to 6'1" by this time next year. Getting a Heiskanen type of player at #12 feels like a steal.

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    You gotta make the playoffs first before worrying about that shit.  Buium, Faber, and Rossi all getting 50-60 pt seasons (within the realm of possibility) would go a long way.  That's even before accounting what Yurov, Heidt, Ohgren, or Khus could do someday.  The Wild need to prove they have depth scoring to beat people enough to make the fucking playoffs before whining about not being big enough.  The Flyers just fell for that trap.

    Size, grit, hitting: at the end of the day, getting pucks past the other goaltender is all that matters. 

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    17 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

    His brother is around 6'4". I wonder if Zeev Buium might be closer to 6'1" by this time next year. Getting a Heiskanen type of player at #12 feels like a steal.

    If he turns out to be Heiskanen then we all are happy.  Big if.

    But we all must come to the realization that there were 5 defenseman picked before him.  If he becomes Heiskanen then it's the steal of the draft.

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    3 minutes ago, Will D. Ness said:

    But we all must come to the realization that there were 5 defenseman picked before him.  If he becomes Heiskanen then it's the steal of the draft.

    There were 5 picked before him for various reasons, mostly size, but this was a defensively strong draft and most of the scouting had him rated as a top 3 defenseman. Guys like Yakemchuk and Silayev are picks based upon projection more than their current skill level.

    Buium is more skilled than those guys, and he's simply better defensively than Parekh. I'm not suggesting he's a lock to be at Heiskanen's level, but that hockey projection included a name like Bobby Orr and a lot of people had Buium top 5 in the last month. He could be able to help the Wild as soon as 25-26, when Yurov arrives.

    There were 14 defensemen selected ahead of Roman Josi in 2008, including Bogosian, but I think I'd still want Josi on the Wild more than most of them.

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    I'm intrigued by this pick! I did next to zero window shopping this year. I'll take a falling elite player! Hell yeah, sounds like Cale Makar lite

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    17 minutes ago, kapislife said:

    I'm intrigued by this pick! I did next to zero window shopping this year. I'll take a falling elite player! Hell yeah, sounds like Cale Makar lite

    Some of the highlights I was watching of him I got the same vibe. Makar is next level but I like how keev, like Makar, will drive to the net for an opportunity. Has nice hands too. 

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    21 minutes ago, Protec said:

    Yeah most rankings had him closer to 30-35ish. Don't know much about him but seems like a good pick at 45th.

    Kind of wonder if the Wild would have gone for a big defenseman there if Kleber(#42) or Brunicke(#44) didn't go right before them. Ritchie does sound like a solid addition at #45 though.

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    2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

    Size, grit, hitting: at the end of the day, getting pucks past the other goaltender is all that matters. 

    I just disagree with this statement. Goals do matter, but you've got to keep them out of your net too. Size and grit matter in the playoffs. But, there is a place for players like Buium. 

    Let's say he fills out to between 200-205. He'll be able to hold his own as a partner with Faber. As a #1 pairing, it may be light, but they can both truly skate. Both of these players aren't heavyweights, but they are upper level middleweights and will be very good. 

    The issue then is what about the other guys? I think if we're collectively too small, then we get into trouble. We'll need to pick up some size later.  Now Lambos was about 200 coming into last year. He could fill out to 210-215. That would be big enough. 

    But, where size was a real problem was when we had Spurgeon, Dumba, Addison on the right side. It was a collection of too small. We've got a place for Buium on the left side. 

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    1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

    Pulkkinen was still on the board if they wanted a big guy, but I guess taking Buium made going offense with Ritchie more logical

    I haven't seen Pulkkinnen off yet. Hopefully we can pick him up at 110. 

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    I was disappointed in Buium being the one who dropped. I was looking for similar skill in a larger frame, but that's just not the way the draft went.

    It fell with Buium, who's name just does not type off the keyboard well. With what was left, and moving up just flipping a 3rd next year, grabbing him was excellent value. At worst, it seems like we got someone 5 slots lower, but maybe he is really, really good. He was the last of the blue chip prospects on D to get drafted. Chip on shoulder??? Motivation??? 

    Sometimes this just works out really well, and I think that may happen here. He'll likely be ready after this next season with Denver, and while he'll take someone's spot late in the season to burn an ELC year, maybe he'll impress enough to make the playoff roster? Faber did that when it was obvious that Merrill and Goligoski couldn't keep up with Dallas' speed. Sure, he was sheltered, but he certainly held his own. 

    Tony presented a nice article, as nobody predicted in the mocks that it was Buium that would drop. It's probably a blessing that he did. 

    Now, where do we get size on D from? Probably trades. Brackett just doesn't seem to be a guy who likes drafting size. It's not one of the attributes he looks at. 

    For those worried about Lambos, Peart, Spacek, Masters, I just think they need more time. They should be better next season. Hopefully they will be living in the gym.

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    1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

    There were 5 picked before him for various reasons, mostly size, but this was a defensively strong draft and most of the scouting had him rated as a top 3 defenseman. Guys like Yakemchuk and Silayev are picks based upon projection more than their current skill level.

    Buium is more skilled than those guys, and he's simply better defensively than Parekh. I'm not suggesting he's a lock to be at Heiskanen's level, but that hockey projection included a name like Bobby Orr and a lot of people had Buium top 5 in the last month. He could be able to help the Wild as soon as 25-26, when Yurov arrives.

    There were 14 defensemen selected ahead of Roman Josi in 2008, including Bogosian, but I think I'd still want Josi on the Wild more than most of them.

    First off, let's just make this clear:  I think the pick was excellent.  I think Zeev is perceived as a high value skilled guy and the situation called for the pick.  I am thinking giving up a 3rd is insurance well spent too.

    The question is if he can play defense.  

    5 GM's are thinking he can't.   Bigger guys like Yakemchuk or Dickenson have a better balance of size and skill and are the kind of defenseman you want (ie Josi) to have in playoff hockey.  Sure there are unicorns like Makar and Heiskanen that are the whole package but it is a gamble to bet that Zeev is going to that calibre.

    But a gamble you take at 12 for sure. 

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    Bigger picture though... yeah I'm concerned we are painting ourselves into a corner with a gluttonous abundance of diminutive but highly talented prospects and the only exception being a guy that can't get ice time (Stramel).  

    We need more size in our prospect pool.  

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