Wild: Zeev Buium’s NHL debut was a mix of poise and promise

LAS VEGAS When he was 19, a decade ago, veteran Minnesota Wild defenseman Jake Middleton joked that he was not qualified to run the top power play unit for his Canadian junior hockey team, the Ottawa 67s.By contrast, in the third period of Zeev Buiums first NHL game, at age 19, the rookie was on the Wild blue line, running the power play during the teams lone man advantage of their playoff opener an eventual 4-2 loss to Vegas on Sunday night.In the games final two minutes, with the Wild trailing by one and goalie Filip Gustavsson on the bench for an extra attacker, there was Buium again, showing off the skills that made him one of college hockeys top players this season as a sophomore at Denver.

So much for easing the new guy into the game.

In a place that is known for scorching sunshine in the summer, this was a baptism of fire.Its a small sample size, to be sure, but the Wild liked what they saw from the San Diego kid.Hes going to be fine.

Hes going to be great, Middleton said Monday, meeting with reporters at the teams hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

Every shift he goes out there, he looks better and better throughout the game.

Roll that over in the next game, these kids now have got so much confidence in themselves and so much swagger that he was ready as soon as the puck dropped.Following a recent trendThats not just a grizzled veteran ranting about these kids nowadays.

With his Wild debut, Buium is the latest in a line of young defensemen to step directly from college into prominent roles on the blue line in the NHL.In 2019, Cale Makar won the Hobey Baker Award at UMass, then went right to the top of the defensive depth chart for the Colorado Avalanche, winning awards for the top rookie in 2020 and for the top defenseman in 2022 and winning a Stanley Cup.

Just two years ago, Minnesota fans saw a similar trajectory when Brock Faber traded his Gophers jersey for a Wild model and seamlessly stepped into a prominent defensive role, playing every game of a first-round playoff series and eventually signing an eight-year, $68 million contract that starts next season.After one game and the prominent role hes been handed, Buium looks like he could be the latest in that line of young defensemen, which is a pleasant change in approach for some Wild veterans.I do not know what hes going through, what hes thinking about, but hes a way better player than I was at that age.

Its kind of crazy, Wild forward Marcus Foligno said.

Hes 19, but theres a reason why he was drafted so high and the buzz around him.

Hes got a lot of confidence and (is a) great kid, and the skill set he has is amazing.

So I think hes going to be just fine and youre going to see the next couple games, him kind of really blossom here.Starting out in Southern California, which despite the popularity of the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks is still a non-traditional hockey area, Buium took the paths many successful players have followed, coming to Minnesota to play prep school hockey at Shattuck-St.

Marys in Faribault, then skating for USA Hockeys National Team Development program in Michigan.

He earned a national title as a freshman with Denver, and finished as runner-up for the Hobey this season before signing with the Wild.Accelerated timelineAfter a few practices where Buium showed off his offensive skills and decision-making, Wild coach John Hynes had no reservations about putting Buium into a prominent role in his first NHL game.Offering an honest assessment the day after Game 1, Hynes admitted there were rookie moments as expected, but overall he gave high marks to the kid who is missing a few college classes to earn an NHL paycheck.To me a big thing was just he was competitive.

And I thought when he was called upon to defend in hard areas, he worked at that, which I thought was good, Hynes said Monday.

Like every player, I think its more getting comfortable and seeing what he can do.

And I thought for a first game, yeah, were there some mistakes.

I think every player on the ice made some mistakes, and it gets a little magnified because of his position.

But I think overall, he played a solid game.The numbers show that Buiums NHL debut included 13:27 of ice time spread over 19 shifts.

He had two of the Wilds 54 hits, attempted two shots on goal and got one of them through to Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill in the third period.It all began at the start of warmups, when Buium made the traditional solo lap of the rink, with three members of his family, all wearing new green Wild sweaters with number 8 on the back, cheering him on.

Buium said he tried to flip a puck over the glass to his mother, and hoped it landed somewhere in that section anyway.In the postgame locker room, he was a mix of disappointment after a loss, but still exhilaration at the completion of an NHL dream come true.

And asked what he would remember from Sundays game, Buium offered a quick one-word answer.Everything, he said.

I mean, the crowd was pretty amazing, playing in a game like that.

Those are the crowds you dream of playing in.

Those are the games you get up for the most.

I think just being out there and seeing the atmosphere was pretty amazing.And if Game 1 was an indication, there are plenty of amazing things to come.Related Articles Wild forward Ryan Hartman didnt take the Knights Game 1 bait More of same in postseason: Wild drop Game 1 in Vegas NHL playoffs: Vegas handles Wild in Game 1 Wild rely on Joel Eriksson Eks intensity.

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