OT: Wild Child of the world's U20

[57special]

I thought Kumpu was low key solid, and has a chance to be a bottom six NHL C. Kivi looked competent... I get that he isn't biggest or fastest, but looked pretty poised and skilled out there. If he mimicks Rossi's training program, then maybe?

It took Buium a while to find his way, but he ended up being really good in an understated way. Could've had one more assist- hard to believe that Leonard missed that tap in- and also had a very good goal scoring chance that was foiled by the terrific FIN goalie.

 

[BagHead]

I thought Kumpu was low key solid, and has a chance to be a bottom six NHL C. Kivi looked competent... I get that he isn't biggest or fastest, but looked pretty poised and skilled out there. If he mimicks Rossi's training program, then maybe?

It took Buium a while to find his way, but he ended up being really good in an understated way. Could've had one more assist- hard to believe that Leonard missed that tap in- and also had a very good goal scoring chance that was foiled by the terrific FIN goalie.

It's kind of funny how everyone keeps saying his offense wasn't fully there, but that he played a sound defensive game, then I look at his stats and he was almost point-per-game.

 

[TaLoN]

It's kind of funny how everyone keeps saying his offense wasn't fully there, but that he played a sound defensive game, then I look at his stats and he was almost point-per-game.

He didn't blow you away "most of the time" with his offense, but there was probably at least a shift per game where he put on a puck handling clinic at critical times.

 

[BagHead]

He didn't blow you away "most of the time" with his offense, but there was probably at least a shift per game where he put on a puck handling clinic at critical times.

That's good. I don't necessarily need a guy who is trying stuff every chance he gets, I need a guy who has the ability to play that way, but plays a calm defensive game and then does the offensive thing at the right times. He sounds like that guy.

 

[57special]

I want Buium to be more active and decisive in the D zone. He doesn't have the frame to be a crease clearing beast, but i want him getting back quickly on puck retrievals, and making a quick, sound first movement after that, whether it be a pass, a move, or a clear. Getting the puck moved out of the D zone is an underrated part of the game, and very important for the team as a whole. If a Dman can get the puck out of the zone quickly before the forwards have to get deep in the D zone then it really helps the counterattack, especially for guys like Kap who are at their best in the neutral and O zone.

Kiviharju looks to be kind of a shrunken, weak, slow version of Buium. Smart player, good skater and puck handler, just remains to be seen if he has the athleticism to play in the NHL.

 

[MNRube]

He didn't blow you away "most of the time" with his offense, but there was probably at least a shift per game where he put on a puck handling clinic at critical times.

His puck movement in the O-Zone is superb. Razor sharp passing and he is always moving laterally to open up shooting lanes and passing lanes. He is going to be a huge boost to the PP, I think.

 

[57special]

His puck movement in the O-Zone is superb. Razor sharp passing and he is always moving laterally to open up shooting lanes and passing lanes. He is going to be a huge boost to the PP, I think.

If he can adjust to speed, smarts, and strength of the NHL. Some can't.

 

[keppel146]

I think Buium will play better with the pros. There were times where you could tell his passes were so crisp he’s like “here’s the puck, now go do something with it”. Biggest challenge I think will be how physical the nhl is.

 

[57special]

I think Buium will play better with the pros. There were times where you could tell his passes were so crisp he’s like “here’s the puck, now go do something with it”. Biggest challenge I think will be how physical the nhl is.

That''s why i'm all for him playing another year in college. A year makes a massive difference at that age.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Definitely don't think you need to wait until he's 1st pair ready before bringing him to the NHL.

3rd pair with Bogosian, 15-17 minutes per game. 2nd PP time.

Easy peasy.

 

[MNRube]

That''s why i'm all for him playing another year in college. A year makes a massive difference at that age.

There is being patient, and then there is being paranoid. I fear we are teetering into the latter here. If we are worried about him handling the physicality of pro hockey, you give him a taste this spring and depending on how that goes, let him earn his way up from Iowa in 25-26

 

[Al Lagoon]

All I saw from the gold medal game were the highlights, and I saw a to of great stuff from Buium. I like to see players rise to the occasion in the biggest games, and he surely did.

 

[57special]

There is being patient, and then there is being paranoid. I fear we are teetering into the latter here. If we are worried about him handling the physicality of pro hockey, you give him a taste this spring and depending on how that goes, let him earn his way up from Iowa in 25-26

So, you want Buium to go pro at the start of his D+2 year? Fox didn't till his D+4, same with Faber, and Makar D+3, for context.

I'd rather he stays in college than go to Des Moines...something is off there.

 

[MNRube]

So, you want Buium to go pro at the start of his D+2 year? Fox didn't till his D+4, same with Faber, and Makar D+3, for context.

I'd rather he stays in college than go to Des Moines...something is off there.

Why are those the random comps? Both Hughes bros played 2 years in NCAA. Buium has been a much better collegiate player than both to date and won a National Championship already.

Des Moines is a mess but you can’t lose a full season of control for your best prospect in the most important year in franchise history because you think your AHL affiliate can’t develop.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Crazy that he's only 25 days away from being eligible for next year's WJC.

So he'll be 2 months away from 20 years old when the season starts. Elite Prospects has him at 185 lbs, which is probably a little old, but who knows I guess.

 

[north21]

Not sure buium has anything left to learn in college.

 

[57special]

Not sure buium has anything left to learn in college.

Mental and physical maturity is a thing. I saw a very smart, skilled player at the WJC's, but not a dominant athlete in terms of size, strength, or speed. Another year makes a big difference.

With Middleton, Brodin, and Chisholm on the left side, i see no reason to rush Buium to the NHL.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Mental and physical maturity is a thing. I saw a very smart, skilled player at the WJC's, but not a dominant athlete in terms of size, strength, or speed. Another year makes a big difference.

With Middleton, Brodin, and Chisholm on the left side, i see no reason to rush Buium to the NHL.

We don't know if Chisholm is going to be on the left side.

 

[MNRube]

We don't know if Chisholm is going to be on the left side.

Not to mention that both Buium and Brodin have demonstrated the ability to play RD and our PP1 is still without a real QB