On Friday afternoon, the Florida Panthers agreed on a deal to acquire Minnesota Wild defenseman Gustav Bouramman in exchange for future considerations.
Gustav Bouramman was drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft after a solid first season in the OHL, with 44 points (5 goals, 39 assists) across 67 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Greyhounds finished as regular-season champions, and Bouramman got heavy praise from their fans.
After being drafted, Bouramman played two more seasons for the Greyhounds, recording 82 points in his next 134 regular-season games. He had a combined +5 plus-minus ratio, and also had 12 points in 23 playoff games for the Greyhounds.
In his last two seasons, Bouramman has struggled to make the transition to AHL-level hockey. For Minnesota’s AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, Bouramman has recorded an unimpressive 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) across 28 games, keeping a combined -3 plus-minus ratio during the last two seasons.
This trade could prove as a wake-up call for the Swede. Bouramman is now 22, which means if he fails to grow into an NHL caliber player in these next two or three seasons, his dreams of playing in the NHL will fall short with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Fortunately, Bouramman will be playing with plenty of defensemen with NHL experience in the AHL, with Riley Stillman or one of Ian McCoshen or Josh Brown as a potential defensive partner.
Bouramman had plenty of hype in his U18 games while still in Sweden, and from a Florida Panthers’ standpoint, why not take a shot on the 22-year-old? His scouting report says he has great mobility and a good hockey IQ, especially when it comes to passing.
The weakness of Bouramman’s game is his build. At just 6’0″, 183 pounds, he won’t be anywhere near the biggest and strongest defenseman on the ice, at any semi-pro or pro-level game. That, however, is a problem that can be fixed, whereas fundamental problems can be much harder.
Despite his numbers in North America and the low trade value deeming Bouramman to be one of the irrelevant players on the payroll, there’s another undersized late-round draft pick that managed to turn into something much more.
That, of course, would be talking about MacKenzie Weegar. Weegar, at 25, is finally cementing his way into the NHL with some solid defensive performances for Florida last season and looks set to secure a place in the starting lineup regularly this season.
It shows, with a little motivation and a strong work ethic, no matter where you’re drafted, hockey players have a shot at the NHL. Bouramman will likely play in a few pre-season games beginning next month and should find himself in Springfield for the next one or two seasons.
If he keeps his head down, focuses on becoming better, and learns from the training staff and coaching for the Thunderbirds, there’s a chance that we hear Gustav Bouramman’s name on the NHL roster in years to come.
For now, expect to see Gustav Bouramman’s name in a few pre-season games before looking to improve at the AHL level. There has been no motion on what the Panthers’ future considerations will be.