Perhaps no prospect for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft confused the Elite Prospects scouting staff as often as Sioux City Musketeers defenceman Shai Buium.

At first, Buium’s tools were masked by a parade of poor decisions and even worse defending. However, as his comfort in the USHL grew, our outlook on his game became far more positive. By the end, Buium rose from off the board entirely to the No. 61-ranked prospect in the Elite Prospects 2021 Draft Guide.

And there’s a legitimate case that he should’ve been higher. For all of his faults, Buium is one of the draft’s few proper high-upside picks, with glimpses of tools and skills comparable to the draft’s best defencemen.