LAS VEGAS — With the draft board falling in their favor, Wild general manager Bill Guerin couldn’t wait any longer.

Not even another pick.

After working the phones on Friday night at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Guerin acquired the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft from the Philadelphia Flyers, then used it to select Denver University defenseman Zeev Buium.

In order to facilitate the trade, the Wild flipped the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft to the Flyers, along with a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to sweeten the deal.

This was largely regarded as a steal for the Wild with Buium projected to go much higher in many of the mock drafts. As a freshman at Denver University last season, Buium, 18, posted 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists) in 42 games while helping the Pioneers win the national championship.

Elsewhere, the San Jose Sharks made the pick everybody thought they’d make, selecting Boston University center Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 pick. He won the Hobey Baker as a freshman and is expected to compete for a roster spot as soon as this season.

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