Zeev Buium is entering a real make-or-break development season, and Vancouver's own power play success might be exactly what unlocks him.
The 20-year-old defenseman arrived with real offensive expectations, viewed as one of the organization's more intriguing young pieces because of his puck movement and ability to create from the back end.
His rookie season told a quieter story. Buium finished with 6 goals and 20 assists for 26 points across 76 games, modest numbers relative to the hype that followed him into the league.
That's not necessarily the full picture of what Vancouver believes he can become. At just 20, he's still extremely early in his development curve.
What actually gives this some real promise is what happened with Vancouver's power play late last season. After the Olympic break, the Canucks ran one of the most effective units in the league, converting at 32.8 percent.
Only Carolina posted a better power play percentage over that same stretch, a genuinely significant development for a team otherwise buried in the standings.
Vancouver has already found something that works offensively. The next step is figuring out how its young players eventually fit into that same equation.
Hronek could serve as the bridge while Buium develops
Filip Hronek is likely to keep running the first power play unit for now, especially after establishing himself as Vancouver's most productive offensive defenseman, posting 8 goals and 41 assists for 49 points last season.
That doesn't close the door on Buium though. If anything, Hronek could function as a real bridge while Buium works his way toward that exact same role.
Vancouver doesn't need to rush any of this. That's the real advantage of where this roster actually sits right now.
If Hronek keeps quarterbacking that top unit early in the season, Buium can build responsibility gradually instead of getting thrown into a role before he's ready for it.
If his offensive game does take the expected step forward, Vancouver eventually faces a genuinely interesting decision. Does Buium take over a bigger power play role? Does he become the long-term quarterback from the blue line?
Those are exactly the kinds of questions a rebuilding team wants to be asking about its own prospects.
Buium's tools, his vision, his puck movement, his ability to create off the rush, suggest he's capable of being far more than a steady depth defenseman if given real opportunity.
-
For Vancouver, this isn't just about one player finding his footing. It's about building the next real core, and Buium looks like one of the more important pieces of that group.
Nobody needs him to become a superstar by October. The Canucks just need to keep handing him opportunity and let his role grow as he actually earns it.
With a power play already proving it can be a genuine strength, the conditions look about as good as they'll get for Buium to finally deliver the offensive numbers many expected from him in the first place.
Will Zeev Buium become the Canucks' long-term power play quarterback this season?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Blue Jackets' stance on Kirill Marchenko revealed amid massive trade rumors
