Zeev Buium is an interesting player to keep an eye on.
He's a 5'11" defenseman playing in the NCAA. 25 points in only 18 games so far as a rookie. This is some of the best production for a rookie NCAA defenseman since the 1970s.
From The Hockey News: "His early returns against NCAA competition have been incredible. Buium is producing at a rate we haven’t seen from a draft-eligible defender since the 1970s – and the offensive side of the puck may not even be his best trait."
He was just awarded the NCAA player of the month for November. Buium is from San Diego and is apparently of Romanian heritage.
His rankings vary quite widely. Around 10 to 20. Though he's moved up quite quickly. Many are starting to call him the best defenseman in the draft. If this is the case, I wouldn't be surprised to see him move up further.
My NHL Draft has him ranked #14:
Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - August 14th: "He’s a plus-level skater who plays a very involved game in all three zones, whether that’s activating into the rush or off the point, shaking pressure on exits or across the blue line, working in and out of give-and-gos, or playing tight gaps against the rush."
Corey Pronman - The Athletic - July 5th: "Buium is a strong skating defenseman who can make a lot of plays and run a power play. He often ran PP1 for a strong U.S. NTDP group this past season. The younger brother of Detroit pick Shai Buium is an undersized defenseman though, and whether he can defend versus pros is a question."