The Athletic‘s Scott Wheeler released his latest NHL prospect pool rankings, and Minnesota is the only NHL playoff team with a top-five prospect pool. In fact, the Wild’s prospects are cumaltively ranked second to only San Jose. Last year’s top pick, Denver Pioneers defenseman Zeev Buium, is the biggest reason for that No. 2 ranking.
The selection of Zeev Buium (who I believe is one of the top prospects in the sport right now) 12th in 2024 and the addition of 2022 No. 6 pick David Jiricek via trade has taken a Wild pool that ranked 11th in last year’s rankings and pushed them into what became a clear-cut top three this year with Montreal and San Jose.
Buium impressed in the 2025 World Juniors, but after posting the best scoring season by a freshman defenseman in NCAA history, he’s taken yet another big leap as a sophomore. He assisted on the game-winning goal in the 2025 World Juniors championship game. And in just two more games than he played last year for Denver, Buium has increased his point total by seven – all on assist
He has played some very high-level hockey for a while now (two springs ago to finish strong at the NTDP, again at the World Junior Summer Showcase, again at two World Juniors and as a big-time freshman and sophomore in college) and projects as a first-pairing, play-driving, extremely involved defenseman with a real chance at stardom.
-Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
The Wild have shown a need for defensemen with a nose for the net, especially with Kaprizov out. MN Wild head coach John Hynes’ recent line changes have reflected that need. It’s expected that Buium will bring that nose for the net to the NHL this season. According to Puckpedia, the Wild have two left-shot defenseman with expiring contracts: Jon Merrill and Travis Dermott.
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