Canucks Defenseman Predicted to Reach Elite Heights

That kind of relentless energy can change the dynamic of an entire team, especially one that just lost its captain and is searching for a new identity. Buium brings a motor that doesn't stop, and Friedman believes that will help inject life into the Canucks.

Why Minnesota Moved Him

Friedman explained that Buium's departure from Minnesota wasn't about a lack of talent. The Wild simply couldn't afford to let a young player make mistakes while they're in win-now mode.

"In Minnesota, he was kind of blocked a little bit because they had so many great defensemen, and also they're in it to win it right now," Friedman said. "He's got things to learn, and that's not an insult. He's just a young guy who's got to learn about playing in the NHL," he said

The situation is completely different in Vancouver. The Canucks are rebuilding and can afford to let Buium develop through mistakes. Friedman acknowledged that fans will see plays that make them cringe, but they'll also see plays that make them jump out of their seats.

Friedman continued, "He'll make plays that you'll be looking at and saying, 'Uh oh.' And he'll be making a lot of plays where you'll be looking at it and saying, "Wow."

The Best Available Player

Friedman made his strongest statement when discussing whether the Canucks could have done better in the Hughes trade. "I really do believe that of all the players who were available to you, I don't think there was one better. I don't."

He went even further by projecting where Buium will be in the near future. "I think that in a couple of years we'll be looking at him as one of the best defensemen in the NHL."

That's a bold prediction from someone as connected as Friedman. If he's right, the Canucks got exactly the kind of foundational piece they need to build around for the next decade.