Vancouver has put a franchise-sized vote of confidence behind Zeev Buium, and the 20-year-old defenseman is already measuring himself against an even tougher standard. The Canucks’ new long-term blue-line piece says the pressure he creates internally will outweigh anything attached to his contract.
Buium signed an eight-year, $75.04 million extension on Sept. 4, carrying a $9.38 million annual cap hit when it begins in 2027-28. He spoke before Vancouver opened its season with a 6-5 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers on Sept. 29, saying his focus is on satisfying the club, his teammates, coaches and his own expectations.
Quick facts
- Buium’s eight-year extension is worth $75.04 million and starts in 2027-28.
- He has no points through four games this season while averaging 21:40 per night.
- Buium is paired with Filip Hronek and works on Vancouver’s second power-play unit.
- Vancouver is 2-2-0 and begins a six-game trip at Carolina on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
The Canucks see Buium as a central piece of their defense corps for years to come. They acquired him from the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 12 in the Quinn Hughes blockbuster, also bringing in forwards Liam Ohgren and Marco Rossi, plus a first-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.
After the move, Buium posted three goals and nine assists in 45 Vancouver games. He had recorded three goals and 11 assists in 31 games with Minnesota, giving him 26 points across his first 76 regular-season NHL appearances.
For Buium, the extension is an opportunity to repay the organization’s faith every season, not merely at the start of the deal. He wants his game to keep moving forward until he can deliver the style of play he expects from himself on a consistent basis.
The Wild chose Buium 12th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. His first NHL appearance came in Game 1 of Minnesota’s 2025 Western Conference First Round against the Vegas Golden Knights, and he collected an assist over four games in that series.
Now, he is getting an early look at heavier duty in Vancouver. Buium has been stationed on the left side beside Hronek, whose 25:52 average leads the club, while Buium’s 21:40 ranks second among Canucks skaters.
Buium wants the difficult matchups, including shifts against players such as Connor McDavid. He is aiming to prove he can handle those assignments in his own end while also making plays and sound decisions with the puck.
His target is broader special-teams responsibility as well. Buium is already getting power-play work, but he wants to earn penalty-killing time and become an option when Vancouver is protecting a lead with the net empty at the other end.
First-year coach Manny Malhotra is balancing those ambitions with the realities of a young defenseman’s development. Malhotra said Buium needs opportunities to show his ability, along with carefully selected situations that allow him to succeed.
There will be difficult shifts and lessons along the way, Malhotra said, and those moments are part of becoming a complete NHL defenseman. The coach was encouraged by Buium’s training camp and by his appetite for instruction.
Malhotra said Buium actively seeks information and wants to improve. Vancouver understands that the defenseman is still young, with the bigger evaluation stretching two, three and four years down the road.
Buium arrived in the NHL with a strong offensive profile after two seasons at the University of Denver. In his sophomore year, he produced 13 goals and 35 assists for 48 points in 41 games.
That puck skill remains the base of his game. Malhotra pointed to Buium’s confidence, skating and ability to read the ice, but the Canucks’ next step is helping him turn that package into a trusted all-situations role.
Vancouver opens its six-game road swing Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. For Buium, it is another early-season test in the role he has been asking for.
