Why Zeev Buium won't make his NHL debut for the Wild on Tuesday

New York Times

15-04-2025

ST. PAUL, Minn. — During a two-on-one drill in Tuesday's Minnesota Wild morning skate, Zeev Buium was in between two veteran forwards, Marcus Foligno and Marcus Johansson.
Johansson sent a saucer pass across the ice. Buium snagged it with his stick out of mid-air, knocking it down. Johansson and Foligno both smiled.
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'Zeev!' Foligno yelled.
The Wild see the talent in Buium, 19, the team's top prospect, who just signed after his University of Denver career ended on Thursday in the Frozen Four. Teammates love how he isn't shying away from conversations, even in his first two skates. They see a long, successful career ahead for the Hobey Baker finalist.
But it won't be starting just yet. Buium won't be making his anticipated NHL debut against the Ducks at Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday night.
The Wild are fighting for their playoff lives, needing at least a point to clinch a spot. If they lose in regulation and the Blues win, the Flames could knock the Wild out with two more wins to end the season. So the stakes are high.
And that's part of the reason Buium is being scratched, coach John Hynes said.
'We don't take lineup decisions easily,' Hynes said. 'We spend hours talking about these different things. I think when you look at the situation tonight, Zeev is a great player. He's played in high-stakes environments at different levels. But it's also taking into consideration of the team and the situation, but also what's best for the player. He's come off the (Frozen Four), he's come off the Hobey Baker, the banquet. He hasn't been able to have a team practice yet to come in. So when you look at it and talk with the player, the agent, the management, you're always trying to make the right decision for the team and the player.
'We also want to set him up for success and opportunity to come in and play. We believe he can help us. Hopefully, we have more hockey left to play this year, and if we do, there's different situations for him. There's practice time and time in between games. It's not an easy decision, not a lighthearted decision. We believe it's well thought out with the combination of circumstances, what's best for the team, what's best for the player and everybody is on the same page with (it) — management, coaches, player.'
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Buium confirmed that he gets it.
He stayed out late with fellow scratches Declan Chisholm and Vinnie Hinostroza, along with Marc-Andre Fleury. While Buium said Monday it would be a 'dream come true' to make his NHL debut, he sees where the team is coming from. Captain Jared Spurgeon and Jake Middleton are returning to the lineup.
'These guys have been through everything with each other,' Buium said. 'Obviously, the season is on the line. I get it. I totally understand.'
Had the Wild clinched their spot earlier, things could have been different. Had the Wild not gone winless on their three-game New York trip or won in Calgary last Friday, for example. Then you probably would have seen Marc-Andre Fleury get a start Saturday in Vancouver and Buium make his debut.
If the Wild win and clinch, there will be two full team practices this week ahead of the playoffs, so that could help put him in a better position to play.
(Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Wild)