Red Wings select big blue-liner Shai Buium with No. 36 pick

The Detroit Red Wings drafted defenseman Shai Buium with the 36th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft after trading the 38th and 128th picks to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Shai Buium

Position: Defense
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 214 pounds
Age: 18
Club: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Nationality: American

(Stats source: EliteProspects.com)

Buium's best asset is his size, which could be viewed negatively or positively. He has soft hands and good vision, which allows him to make clean breakout passes and help his team sustain offensive-zone pressure.

However, his skating is a major red flag. He got away with it in the USHL, but the pace of the pro game will be challenging. If he's unable to substantially improve his stride, his NHL ceiling is likely capped as a third-pairing blue-liner.

Buium, a University of Denver commit for next season, shoots left but can play the right side.

What they're saying

"He's a long, rangy defender, with a very good stick and high IQ. His strength and skating are issues, but he has big upside," an anonymous executive told The Athletic's Corey Pronman.

Highlights