Canucks' Zeev Buium Lands $72M Contract After Trade

The young defenseman has a bright future in Vancouver.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:18pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey defenseman in action, with their body and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the colors of the Vancouver Canucks.A fractured, geometric portrait of young Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium, whose promising future could earn him a massive contract extension.Vancouver Today

The Vancouver Canucks acquired 20-year-old defenseman Zeev Buium in a trade that sent star player Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. Buium has shown promise in his first 35 games with the Canucks, averaging 20 minutes of ice time per game and recording 2 goals and 7 assists. Analysts predict Buium could earn a lucrative 8-year, $72 million contract extension, comparable to deals signed by other young NHL defensemen like Luke Hughes and Jackson LaCombe.

Why it matters

The Canucks' trade of Quinn Hughes was a major move, and Zeev Buium's development will be crucial in determining the success of that deal. If Buium continues to improve and becomes a top-tier defenseman, it could justify the Canucks' decision to part with Hughes.

The details

Zeev Buium, a 6-foot left-shot defenseman, was acquired by the Canucks in the trade that sent star player Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. In his first 35 games with the Canucks, the 20-year-old Buium has averaged 20 minutes of ice time per game, scoring 2 goals and adding 7 assists. While his numbers may not be eye-popping, the Canucks are encouraged by Buium's potential and believe he can continue to develop into a top-tier defenseman.

  • Buium was acquired by the Canucks in a trade with the Minnesota Wild on March 30, 2026.
  • Buium has played in 35 games for the Canucks so far this season.

The players

Zeev Buium

A 20-year-old defenseman who was acquired by the Vancouver Canucks in a trade with the Minnesota Wild. He has shown promise in his first 35 games with the Canucks, averaging 20 minutes of ice time per game and recording 2 goals and 7 assists.

Quinn Hughes

A star player who was traded by the Vancouver Canucks to the Minnesota Wild in the deal that brought Zeev Buium to Vancouver.

Luke Hughes

A young defenseman who recently signed an 8-year, $9 million per year contract, which is being used as a comparable for the potential contract Zeev Buium could earn with the Canucks.

Jackson LaCombe

Another young defenseman who recently signed an 8-year, $9 million per year contract, which is also being used as a comparable for Zeev Buium's potential future contract.

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What they’re saying

“If Buium were to sign a max-length contract with Vancouver for eight years, then you're looking at something like $72 million over the length of the contract for Buium to be paid like those guys.”

— Rick Dhaliwal, Vancouver reporter

What’s next

The Canucks will continue to monitor Zeev Buium's development and performance over the remainder of the season. If he continues to impress, the team may look to sign him to a long-term contract extension in the offseason, potentially in the range of 8 years and $72 million.

The takeaway

The success of the Canucks' trade of Quinn Hughes will largely depend on how Zeev Buium develops and performs in Vancouver. If Buium can continue to improve and become a top-tier defenseman, it could justify the Canucks' decision to part with Hughes and help the team build for the future.