The Minnesota Wild have acquired the 12th overall pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for the 13th overall pick and a third-round selection in next year’s draft (X Link).
The Wild would use the selection on defenseman Zeev Buium out of the University of Denver, who miraculously fell to 12th overall. Minnesota adds another dynamic defensive prospect while already having Brock Faber on the back end.
Aside from winning the 2024 National Championship with Denver, Buium rose the draft charts considerably after scoring 11 goals and 50 points in only 42 games. With his strong skating and ability to escape oncoming pressure, Buium is eerily similar to former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Adam Fox from the New York Rangers. By only having to attach a third-round pick to select one of the best defensemen available in the draft — Minnesota could end up with one of the biggest steals of the night.
The Flyers, on the other hand, used the 13th overall pick to select Jett Luchanko out of the OHL’s Guelph Storm. Considering that this selection is a bit of a reach compared to mock picks, the Flyers were likely more than happy to move back one spot and add a third-round selection next year.
As one of the fastest players in the draft, Luchanko can transition with the puck very effectively. In 68 games for the Storm this past season, Luchanko put up 20 goals and 74 points while winning the William Hanley Trophy as the league’s most sportsmanlike player.
WHY
Why not.
The wild have plenty of picks in the higher rounds and they really didn’t sacrifice anything to keep him from getting picked.
Did the same thing a few years back to steal wallstead from boston
Briere showing again he is clueless.
NHL.com analysis: The Flyers move back one spot in a trade with the Wild and are able to fill a need for young center prospects. Luchanko is an explosive skater who projects to contribute on the top power play and penalty kill. It might not take long before Luchanko and Matvei Michkov become two-thirds of Philadelphia’s top line.
Michael Buffer never disappoints. Legend!
Luchanko screams Flyers.
Sadly I’m not very happy with this pick. The Flyers had one of the best defenseman fall to #12 and they decide to not select him. that is the position that Keith Jones said they would be very active in acquiring during his hiring press conference less then 2yrs ago.
I’m okay about not taking him BUT you had the best pure goal scorers in the entire draft in Cole eiserman (sp?). They reached for Jett and that’s my problem with this pick. then Danny Briere traded the 32nd pick to Edmonton for a 1st in 2025 or 2026. Moves like that the team that’s giving up the pick usually gets more then just a pick in the same RD 1-2 yrs later. I was so pumped about the possibilities for the Flyers out of this draft, but after the 1st rd I think we really missed a golden opportunity to load our system with top-tier talent. While Jett could turn out good, most ppl know there were a handful of players at #12/#13 and eventually #32 to only walk away with Luchenko feels like a huge missed opportunity