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NHL Notebook: Canucks sign Buium to eight-year, $9.38 million AAV extension

Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Vancouver Canucks Zeev Buium

Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

By Zach Laing

Sep 4, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 4, 2026, 19:39 EDT

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After letting one franchise defenceman go last season, the Vancouver Canucks aren’t willing to let another with the potential to walk.

The team announced Friday afternoon that they signed blue liner Zeev Buium to an eight-year, $9.38 million AAV extension.

“Zeev has settled in nicely with our organization since his trade to Vancouver last season, and we are extremely happy to see him make this long-term commitment to the Canucks,” general manager Ryan Johnson said in a statement. “He is a key member of our young core and a player we will build around moving forward.

“Zeev has a lot of upside, and we feel with his abilities he will flourish in the system and environment we are creating inside our locker room. We look forward to working together and creating a strong partnership and foundation for our future.”

Buium joined the Canucks via a Dec. 12, 2025 trade from the Minnesota Wild, along with a 2026 first-round pick used to select Adam Novotny, Liam Ohgren, and Marco Rossi, in exchange for defenceman Quinn Hughes.

He appeared in 45 games for the Canucks, scoring three goals and 12 points, while posting a -12 plus/minus rating. Drafted by the Minnesota Wild 12th overall in the 2024 draft, Buium has appeared in 76 NHL games, scoring six goals and 26 points.

The bet is a big one for the Canucks for a player who has yet to back up the massive potential that was there when the Wild selected him.

Chris Tanev nears return to Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be getting a boost on their blue line this season, as Chris Tanev is nearing a return to the lineup.

The 36-year-old played only 11 games last season before being shut down in late December due to groin and core muscle injuries. Now, Tanev tells The Toronto Star’s Dave Feschuk he’s hopeful to be cleared ahead of training camp.

“For the doctors it was probably pretty easy. It was like, ‘You need surgery.’ But for me it was tough,” Tanev said. “I was trying to rehab and get back to a place where I could potentially help the team if we did make playoffs. But obviously that didn’t happen.

“We still have to check some boxes with the doctors. But the plan is for me to be out there day one of camp.”

Tanev is entering the third-year of a six-year deal with the Leafs, paying him $4.5-million annually. He’s appeared in 86 games for them since being acquired in June 2024, scoring three goals and 20 points, while posting a plus-39 plus/minus.

Zach Laing is Daily Faceoff Edmonton’s managing editor and The Nation Network’s news director. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

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