SALT LAKE CITY – The 2024 NHL Draft is only one day away and Utah’s front office is preparing to make its first selection as a new franchise following its relocation from Arizona.
The NHL Draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28 and 29.
Utah Hockey Club owns 13 picks in the draft, including No. 6 overall in the first round.
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While Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini is projected to go to the San Jose Sharks with the first pick, there is uncertainty with the subsequent selections.
Leading up to the NHL Draft, we’ll dive into some of the top prospects, aside from Celebrini, who might end up on Utah’s roster.
We’ve already looked at Russian forward Ivan Demidov, Michigan State’s Aytyom Leshunov, WHL product Cayden Lindstrom, NTDP left wing Cole Eiserman, and OHL standout Sam Dickinson, and KHL defenseman Anton Silayev.
Up next, we dive into Denver defenseman Zeev Buium.
RELATED: Top 2024 NHL Draft Prospects For Utah
Buium is an 18-year-old defenseman from San Diego, California.
Zeev Buium is a defenseman for @DU_Hockey.
His brother, Shai, was drafted by the Red Wings in 2021 and the two played together for the University of Denver last season. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/77SQZ2suuX
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 27, 2024
Before his collegiate career, Buium played a couple of years in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. In the 202-23 NTDP season, Buium posted five goals and 35 assists in 63 games.
Last season, Buium chose to play at the University of Denver. He led the Pioneers to the NCAA Championship. While at Denver, the defenseman recorded 11 goals, 39 assists, and 20 penalty minutes in 42 contests.
Zeev Buium called game! The slick dangles and the finish in overtime to send Denver to the NCHC championship game #2024NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/F51YOtamZD
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) March 23, 2024
In their latest mock draft, NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale have the Denver standout within Utah’s reach.
Morreale projected Buium as the No. 6 by Utah.
Kimelman thinks Utah HC passes on Buium in favor of Dickinson. However, Kimelman praised Buium as a player “who has a smooth, poised approach to go with his maturity, outstanding skill set and high-end athleticism.”
Like Morreale, ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie had Utah picking Buium in the outlet’s latest mock draft. She said Buium or Dickinson is “the most likely pick” at No. 6.
“Buium is an elite puck mover who tilts the ice in his team’s favor,” Doerrie wrote. “Zayne Parekh is the best offensive defenseman in the draft, but Utah seems higher on Buium’s all-around game.”
Welcoming in Zeev Buium to the #NHLDraft… 🤭
Prospect Profile presented by @DrinkBODYARMOR
📺: Round 1 of the 2024 Upper Deck #NHLDraft is on June 28 at 7p ET on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/hmw4XTtRv3
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2024
Date of Birth: December 7, 2005
Height: 6′ 0″
Shoots: Left
League: NCAA
Current Team: Denver Pioneers
Games: 42
Goals: 11
Assists: 39
Points: 50
PIM: 20
The 62nd NHL Draft will be held at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 28-29.
It's officially @NHL Draft week! 🏒#NHLDraft #NHL #UtahHC https://t.co/1CWbFjgqfU
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 23, 2024
The first round order of the draft is set to be the following:
Kyle Ireland is a Utah Hockey Club Insider for KSLSports.com. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
