2023-24 #2: Phantoms (AHL), Reading Royals (ECHL), NCAA, Jrs., Int'l, etc.

[TB87]

Or, just as likely, he had the benefit of playing on a loaded college team against inferior opponents. Five teams selected defensemen before the Wild selected Buium.

Maybe he is as talented as you suggest. There is a reason other teams didn't feel the same way.

I usually find the “he played on a loaded team” argument to be a strange one. That’s not a mark against an individual player, that deserves accolades for DU’s recruiting ability. Furthermore, that doesn’t diminish (in any way) Buium’s production. Plenty of defenseman play on stacked teams who don’t produce at the level he has. When you’re getting a point on 25% of your team’s goals, as a defenseman, you’re doing something right.

I see NHL team’s scouting ability to be pretty lacking on the whole. I mean, Yakemchuk was the 2nd defenseman picked in this draft lol. He’s absolutely not the 2nd best defenseman in the draft (that’d be Buium). It could be argued that Buium is on par with Levshunov too.

There’s an odd level of groupthink going on amount among scouting departments & an emphasis of size that’s ultimately unwarranted and beyond bizarre. Especially from this past draft. NHL team’s absolutely have the prerogative to believe that size on the backend wins championships, but as @Appleyard showed a few weeks ago in a series of tweets, Cup winners tend to have d-core of all different sizes. You can win with an average to even below average size d-core. Talent trumps all.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Buium was top 10 in NCAA scoring as a draft eligible defensemen. And just as a reminder, he scored at a higher clip than Luchanko did in the OHL...as a first line center.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I usually find the “he played on a loaded team” argument to be a strange one. That’s not a mark against an individual player, that deserves accolades for DU’s recruiting ability. Furthermore, that doesn’t diminish (in any way) Buium’s production. Plenty of defenseman play on stacked teams who don’t produce at the level he has. When you’re getting a point on 25% of your team’s goals, as a defenseman, you’re doing something right.

I see NHL team’s scouting ability to be pretty lacking on the whole. I mean, Yakemchuk was the 2nd defenseman picked in this draft lol. He’s absolutely not the 2nd best defenseman in the draft (that’d be Buium). It could be argued that Buium is on par with Levshunov too.

There’s an odd level of groupthink going on amount among scouting departments & an emphasis of size that’s ultimately unwarranted and beyond bizarre. Especially from this past draft. NHL team’s absolutely have the prerogative to believe that size on the backend wins championships, but as @Appleyard showed a few weeks ago in a series of tweets, Cup winners tend to have d-core of all different sizes. You can win with an average to even below average size d-core. Talent trumps all.

Completely agree with your different sizes argument. As I've said earlier, Flyers already have plenty of Buiums - whether in Philadelphia or in Lehigh Valley. And a number of promising wingers. From what I've read about Luchanko he is a heavier two-way center. Definitely fits the MO of the Flyers' organization.

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Completely agree with your different sizes argument. As I've said earlier, Flyers already have plenty of Buiums - whether in Philadelphia or in Lehigh Valley. And a number of promising wingers. From what I've read about Luchanko he is a heavier two-way center. Definitely fits the MO of the Flyers' organization.

who are these plenty of Buiums that you speak of? Can't even see one from my vantage point.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

who are these plenty of Buiums that you speak of? Can't even see one from my vantage point.

Drysdale, York and Zamula in Philadelphia. Attard and Andrae with the Phantoms. That's to go along with the healthy veterans.


Somehow think the Flyers will be fine on D for years.

Edit: Did I leave out a player named Bonk?

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Drysdale, York and Zamula in Philadelphia. Attard and Andrae with the Phantoms. That's to go along with the healthy veterans.


Somehow think the Flyers will be fine on D for years.

So you compare all of those to Buium. Interesting to say the least.

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

York is the only player amongst that group that has solidified himself as a useful top four defender at the NHL level.

 

[pit]

I'm amazed we didn't pass on Michkov with too many RWs in the pipeline and on the roster. Too many Michkovs but drafted him anyway.

 

[TheKingPin]

Please let Drysdale turn into a stud #1. That would be nice

 

[BringBackHakstol]

Please let Drysdale turn into a stud #1. That would be nice

I really don't think that's in the cards.

 

[freakydallas13]

So you compare all of those to Buium. Interesting to say the least.

You think the Wild will trade us their Buium (OG Buium) for our Buium (Attard) if we throw in a 5th to sweeten it? The players are the same so they would be stupid not to.

 

[Appleyard]

Or, just as likely, he had the benefit of playing on a loaded college team against inferior opponents. Five teams selected defensemen before the Wild selected Buium.

Maybe he is as talented as you suggest. There is a reason other teams didn't feel the same way.

It is funny isn't it that most of the recent highest scoring NCAA Dmen ever in terms of draft years... also on good teams... also funny that all of them also turned it great NHLers.

Why? Because teams that are not top 10-20 in the nation are generally not able to recruit guys who are able to play NCAA in their draft year... as usually these guys are high end talents that teams that are not fantastic cant hope to get.

Q. Hughes: 0.78 P/GP (Michigan, 3.4 G/GP, #4 in Nation
Werenski: 0.71 P/GP (Michigan, 3.86 G/GP, #20 in Nation)
McAvoy: 0.68 P/GP (BU, 3.44 G/GP, #11 in Nation)
Hanifin: 0.62 P/GP (BC, 2.8 G/GP, #13 in Nation)
Power: 0.62 P/GP (Michigan, 3.5 G/GP, #9 in Nation)

Buium: 1.19 P/GP (Denver, 4.7 G/GP, #1 in Nation)
Levshunov: 0.92 P/GP (Michigan State, 3.87 G/GP, #5 in Nation)

These 7 guys ranked in terms of direct involvement in team goals:

Buium: 25.3%
Levshunov: 23.8%
Hughes: 22.9%
Hanifin: 22.1%
McAvoy: 19.8%
Werenski: 18.4%
Power: 17.7%

Also funny that despite all of them playing on good teams, and Buium playing on maybe the best team of all... he was more important to that power-house scoring wise than any of the others...

 

[TheKingPin]

I really don't think that's in the cards.

Yes seems like a 0% chance

It is funny isn't it that quite most of the recent highest scoring NCAA Dmen ever in terms of draft years... also on great teams... also funny that all of them also turned it great NHLers.

Why? Because teams that are not top 10-20 in the nation are generally not able to recruit guys who are able to play NCAA in their draft year... as usually these guys are high end talents that teams that are not fantastic cant hope to get.

Q. Hughes: 0.78 P/GP (Michigan, 3.4 G/GP, #4 in Nation
Werenski: 0.71 P/GP (Michigan, 3.86 G/GP, #20 in Nation)
McAvoy: 0.68 P/GP (BU, 3.44 G/GP, #11 in Nation)
Hanifin: 0.62 P/GP (BC, 2.8 G/GP, #13 in Nation)
Power: 0.62 P/GP (Michigan, 3.5 G/GP, #9 in Nation)

Buium: 1.19 P/GP (Denver, 4.7 G/GP, #1 in Nation)
Levshunov: 0.92 P/GP (Michigan State, 3.87 G/GP, #5 in Nation)

These 7 guys ranked in terms of direct involvement in team goals:

Buium: 25.3%
Levshunov: 23.8%
Hughes: 22.9%
Hanifin: 22.1%
McAvoy: 19.8%
Werenski: 18.4%
Power: 17.7%

Also funny that despite all of them playing on good teams, and Buium playing on maybe the best team of all... he was more important to that power-house scoring wise than any of the others...

Wow. You can see why the Flyers passed here. Looks to be a future Norris winner

 

[Audible Velvet]

It is funny isn't it that most of the recent highest scoring NCAA Dmen ever in terms of draft years... also on good teams... also funny that all of them also turned it great NHLers.

Why? Because teams that are not top 10-20 in the nation are generally not able to recruit guys who are able to play NCAA in their draft year... as usually these guys are high end talents that teams that are not fantastic cant hope to get.

Q. Hughes: 0.78 P/GP (Michigan, 3.4 G/GP, #4 in Nation
Werenski: 0.71 P/GP (Michigan, 3.86 G/GP, #20 in Nation)
McAvoy: 0.68 P/GP (BU, 3.44 G/GP, #11 in Nation)
Hanifin: 0.62 P/GP (BC, 2.8 G/GP, #13 in Nation)
Power: 0.62 P/GP (Michigan, 3.5 G/GP, #9 in Nation)

Buium: 1.19 P/GP (Denver, 4.7 G/GP, #1 in Nation)
Levshunov: 0.92 P/GP (Michigan State, 3.87 G/GP, #5 in Nation)

These 7 guys ranked in terms of direct involvement in team goals:

Buium: 25.3%
Levshunov: 23.8%
Hughes: 22.9%
Hanifin: 22.1%
McAvoy: 19.8%
Werenski: 18.4%
Power: 17.7%

Also funny that despite all of them playing on good teams, and Buium playing on maybe the best team of all... he was more important to that power-house scoring wise than any of the others...

Thanks for posting.
Also, this hurts.
A lot.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Buium also led the entire country in time on ice so the team strength argument kinda goes out the window. He was the most valuable player on that team.

 

[Larry44]

Buium also led the entire country in time on ice so the team strength argument kinda goes out the window. He was the most valuable player on that team.

Passing on Buium is just another failure of the ridiculous idiots who run the Flyers. Jett will be a decent player if he turns out to be as good as Laughton. Buium is going to be fighting Quinn Hughes for ice time on the US National teams. A gift from heaven fell to the Flyers and, well, they just could not accept it. Traded back for a 3rd rounder in 2025, the greatest bounty of talent ever, so at least we have that to look forward to.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Passing on Buium is just another failure of the ridiculous idiots who run the Flyers. Jett will be a decent player if he turns out to be as good as Laughton. Buium is going to be fighting Quinn Hughes for ice time on the US National teams. A gift from heaven fell to the Flyers and, well, they just could not accept it. Traded back for a 3rd rounder in 2025, the greatest bounty of talent ever, so at least we have that to look forward to.

Flyers had plenty of company. Five other teams had the opportunity to draft that "gift from the heavens". They chose other defensemen instead.

 

[renberg]

It is funny isn't it that most of the recent highest scoring NCAA Dmen ever in terms of draft years... also on good teams... also funny that all of them also turned it great NHLers.

Why? Because teams that are not top 10-20 in the nation are generally not able to recruit guys who are able to play NCAA in their draft year... as usually these guys are high end talents that teams that are not fantastic cant hope to get.

Q. Hughes: 0.78 P/GP (Michigan, 3.4 G/GP, #4 in Nation
Werenski: 0.71 P/GP (Michigan, 3.86 G/GP, #20 in Nation)
McAvoy: 0.68 P/GP (BU, 3.44 G/GP, #11 in Nation)
Hanifin: 0.62 P/GP (BC, 2.8 G/GP, #13 in Nation)
Power: 0.62 P/GP (Michigan, 3.5 G/GP, #9 in Nation)

Buium: 1.19 P/GP (Denver, 4.7 G/GP, #1 in Nation)
Levshunov: 0.92 P/GP (Michigan State, 3.87 G/GP, #5 in Nation)

These 7 guys ranked in terms of direct involvement in team goals:

Buium: 25.3%
Levshunov: 23.8%
Hughes: 22.9%
Hanifin: 22.1%
McAvoy: 19.8%
Werenski: 18.4%
Power: 17.7%

Also funny that despite all of them playing on good teams, and Buium playing on maybe the best team of all... he was more important to that power-house scoring wise than any of the others...

My thoughts on draft day were that Buium and Levshunov were the top two defensemen on the board. What was it that dropped him to 12? I don’t get it.

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Flyers had plenty of company. Five other teams had the opportunity to draft that "gift from the heavens". They chose other defensemen instead.

Can't speak for others, I do not care what other teams did at this time. Also need to look at context to see why they passed.

Bottom line to me is the Flyers did not take the BPA. They could have drafted him then used the Florid and Avs 1st in 2025 to then move up and get Jett. He would have still been there a few picks after the Flyers. But nah they have JD, York, and even more laughable Andrae (who won't even make the team).

 

[freakydallas13]

Flyers had plenty of company. Five other teams had the opportunity to draft that "gift from the heavens". They chose other defensemen instead.

Yeah man, no team has ever regretted passing on a player in the draft, ever.

 

[thedjpd]

Yeah man, no team has ever regretted passing on a player in the draft, ever.

I mean, obviously.

A GM making a mistake in isolation is fair; they aren't infallible. But it's surprising that everybody's claiming he was most likely the best D-Man available among the 6, but was the last one taken.

I just think there's something more to the story is all.

 

[blackjackmulligan]

I mean, obviously.

A GM making a mistake in isolation is fair; they aren't infallible. But it's surprising that everybody's claiming he was most likely the best D-Man available among the 6, but was the last one taken.

I just think there's something more to the story is all.

Where did the other dman drafted ahead of him end up? All about context. Also, I could be wrong though there wasn't any consensus he was the best dman available. Diff publications had diff rankings.

The issue to me is he was BPA where the Flyers clearly have a need for a potential #1 dman. Maybe Danny said to himself we suck at trying to draft elite level dman so not going to bother.

 

[thedjpd]

Where did the other dman drafted ahead of him end up? All about context. Also, I could be wrong though there wasn't any consensus he was the best dman available. Diff publications had diff rankings.

The issue to me is he was BPA where the Flyers clearly have a need for a potential #1 dman. Maybe Danny said to himself we suck at trying to draft elite level dman so not going to bother.

Maybe. And I'm not exactly on the side of management here, as they haven't earned it yet, but I don't think even Briere believes his reason on why they passed.

If we noticed the CG situation, even he didn't provide a good answer there, and was flustered when saying it. We know now why.

He's not exactly a shark poker player.

 

[BigToe]

I mean, obviously.

A GM making a mistake in isolation is fair; they aren't infallible. But it's surprising that everybody's claiming he was most likely the best D-Man available among the 6, but was the last one taken.

I just think there's something more to the story is all.

Probably nothing more than size and he’s a lefty. Maybe Cutter and McGroarty scared teams away from college guys? Idk.

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Maybe. And I'm not exactly on the side of management here, as they haven't earned it yet, but I don't think even Briere believes his reason on why they passed.

If we noticed the CG situation, even he didn't provide a good answer there, and was flustered when saying it. We know now why.

He's not exactly a shark poker player.

Briere just doesn't strike me as wise GM so far, Looks like a lost puppy when he speaks. Don't see him oozing confidence.

No good answer to provide as they messed up badly.