Lane Hutson strongly hopes that the Montreal Canadiens do not select Zeev Buium in the next draft.
According to TVA Sports, Buium is a real rough diamond who could greatly improve CH’s offensive aspect…and above all, who could threaten Hutson’s place.
This 6-foot, 183-pound defenseman scored 50 points in 42 games last season with the University of Denver in the NCAA.
Many see him as a future power play quarterback capable of contributing offensively without neglecting his defensive responsibilities.
For the CH, Buium could play a crucial role as the first power play quarterback, representing a direct threat to Lane Hutson in this specific role. According to La Presse, the defender is of great interest to CH.
Zeev Buium comes from San Diego, a city far from being a hockey place. With only one local rink, he learned to love hockey in a family atmosphere, often marked by barbecues after games.
However, to progress, he had to leave his hometown to compete against the best players. Attracted by James Gasseau, a Gaspé native established in California, Buium joined his older brother Shai, a second-round pick from Detroit in 2021, in the Los Angeles area.
“From San Diego to Los Angeles, it’s two hours without traffic. At one point, they rented a house closer to Los Angeles. It was impressive, the support from the parents. » says Gasseau (credit: la Presse)
Zeev Buium’s journey is marked by many sacrifices. His family moved to Laguna Niguel to reduce commuting between San Diego and Los Angeles, allowing his parents to work in San Diego and support their passion for hockey.
“Today, I hate being in a car. I would rather walk 10,000 miles than drive! But it had to be done. » affirms the young defender. (credit: Press)
This determination and sacrifices have paid off, as Buium has become a major prospect, even if he is still seen as an underdog for CH’s fifth pick.
“It was two and a half hours with traffic, and we did it three or four times a week. After a while, we moved to Laguna Niguel, which was halfway there. That way, they could drive an hour to work in San Diego, and an hour for our hockey in Los Angeles. It’s crazy that they made these sacrifices. »
In his first collegiate season, Buium impressed by scoring 50 points in 42 games, placing himself as the No. 1 defenseman in the NCAA despite his young age.
His offensive game, combined with respectable size, makes him a strong candidate for the top 10 in the draft, although some experts like Bob McKenzie have him ranked 13th overall.
We don’t see the CH selecting him in 5th place overall. We only see it in Montreal if the CH compromises to go down to the draft.
Buium is known for his ability to create spectacular plays while being responsible defensively. This link between playing intelligence and offensive flair makes him particularly attractive for a team like CH, which seeks to strengthen its numerical advantage and its offensive blue line. And which would give Hughes the chance to trade Mike Matheson, or even Lane Hutson.
Do not be scarred by words. Buium poses a threat to Lane Hutson, who sees his American teammate as a direct competitor for the quarterback role.
Between the two, who do you take? We take Buium with our eyes closed. In our opinion, he will become a much more complete defender than “little Hutson.”
