By Luke Sims -
Minnesota Wild fans got a taste of Zeev Buium in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, where he recorded an assist in four postseason games.
Wild fans and coaches hoped Buium would provide an offensive spark for the Wild’s blueline against the Vegas Golden Knights. However, the coaches didn’t trust Buium during critical situations, leaving the rest of the Wild’s defenders to pick up the slack.
The Wild lost that series in six games. While most players hit the links, Buium laced up his skates again and played for Team USA during the IIHF World Championships.
Buium put on a show, appearing in eight games, recording three assists and a spectacular goal:
Buium draws a penalty on the play above and has the wherewithal to keep the play moving. He keeps his legs moving until he can follow up on the rebound and bury the puck into an open net. This play started with Buium, ran through him, and ended with him potting it.
In beating Finland, Buium added another gold medal to his already weighty list of accomplishments. His next goal will be cracking the Wild’s roster full-time.
It was premature to assume that Buium would mesh seamlessly into the NHL straight from a full college hockey season. He’d have to perform in the playoffs against a big, tough, and experienced Knights team. Still, it validated his potential to make an immediate impact.
Fresh off a season in which he had 48 points in 41 games with a University of Denver team that made the Frozen Four, Buium will be ready to adjust to the NHL. With a full offseason of work in Minnesota, skating with his teammates and pros alike, it will be easier for Buium to adjust to the NHL and John Hynes’ system.
We’ve seen how Buium can play with speed and skill surrounding him on the world stage. Buium is a fast learner with a bright future ahead of him. While his playoff performance may have dampened sky-high expectations, Buium raised them again with Team USA.
Being selected to play on Team USA alone would have been a huge win. The fact that they gave him a significant role and crushed it shows that the NHL won’t be too big of a step for him next season.
The Wild burned a year on his entry-level contract to play him in the playoffs last season. He undoubtedly will play in the NHL next year.
However, it may be difficult for him to find a role behind Minnesota’s two top established pairs: Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon, Jake Middleton, and Jonas Brodin. Still, Buium should earn a role as the team's power-play quarterback and de facto offensive specialist on the backend. He should be more suited for that role after an entire offseason of training and learning the game's pace.
The Wild could pair Buium with multiple different players on the third pair. Wherever Hynes lines Buium is lined up, he’ll shelter him from facing top competition. Minnesota may play him with fellow youngster and offensive stud David Jiricek, or maybe the grizzled veteran in Zach Bogosian. Jon Merrill will probably be playing elsewhere next year.
Buium’s playoff performance may have put some doubt in the hearts of Wild faithful. Still, his performance in international competition with other NHL players erased doubts and lit the fire even brighter for his full-time role next season.
All stats and data via EliteProspects, HockeyDB, Evolving Hockey, and CapWages unless otherwise noted.
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