Pavel Buchnevich Explained

Pavel Buchnevich
Birth Date:17 April 1995
Birth Place:Cherepovets, Russia
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:193
Position:Forward
Shoots:Left
Team:St. Louis Blues
League:NHL
Former Teams:Severstal Cherepovets
SKA Saint Petersburg
New York Rangers
Ntl Team:RUS
Draft:75th overall
Draft Year:2013
Draft Team:New York Rangers
Career Start:2012

Pavel Andreyevich Buchnevich (Russian: Павел Андреевич Бучневич; born 17 April 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Born and raised in Russia, Buchnevich started playing professional ice hockey at his hometown team Severstal Cherepovets of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) during the 2012–13 season. He was shortly thereafter drafted by the New York Rangers in the third round, 75th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft but chose to remain in Russia. In his final KHL season, he was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg before moving to the United States and joining the NHL.

Upon joining the Rangers, Buchnevich made his rookie debut during the 2016–17 season and played on their first line alongside Mika Zibanejad with Chris Kreider. He remained with the team for five seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Samuel Blais and a 2022 second-round pick.

As a citizen of Russia, Buchnevich has represented his home country at both the junior and senior levels in international tournaments. He made his international debut at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he won a gold medal. Before aging out of the junior levels, Buchnevich medaled again at the 2014 and 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Early life

Buchnevich was born on 17 April 1995 in Cherepovets, Russia.[1] He was born into an athletic family; his mother Yelena Razumova is a former competitive skier while his father Andrey is a youth soccer coach who formerly worked at a steel factory.[2]

Playing career

Professional

Severstal Cherepovets

A native of Cherepovets, Buchnevich played 102 games with the Almaz Cherepovets of the Junior Hockey League where he tallied 40 goals and 70 assists for 110 points.[3] Despite a shortened 2011–12 season due to an injury, Buchnevich signed a three-year contract to play professional ice hockey at his hometown team Severstal Cherepovets during the 2012–13 season.[4] During this time, he was ranked 10th amongst international skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[5] While he split the season between Almaz and Severstal, Buchnevich tallied 23 points through 24 games.[6]

Following the conclusion of the season, Buchnevich was drafted in the third round, 75th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. However, he chose to stay in the KHL because he did not feel he was ready to come to North America.[7] As such, he returned to the KHL for the 2013–14 season, where he had a breakout season and registered 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points through 48 games. His assist total second-most a KHL player younger than 20 years old had ever posted in one season.[8] In his final KHL season, he was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for financial compensation. At the time of the trade, he had recorded 29 points through 40 games.[9] Upon joining the team, Buchnevich changed his jersey number from 89 to 88.[10] He finished the regular season with 16 goals and 37 points as he helped Petersburg qualify for the playoffs. Upon being eliminated, Buchnevich underwent bursa sac surgery on his left elbow, which required a two-to-three week rehabilitation.[11]

New York Rangers

On 13 May 2016, Buchnevich signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Rangers.[8] Following the signing, he participated in their 2016 Development Camp in July and the Traverse City Tournament in September.[12] While training in New York with the Rangers’ strength and conditioning coach, Buchnevich requested he be placed with an English speaking family to learn the language.[13] Buchnevich made the Rangers' final lineup for the 2016–17 season and played on their first line alongside Mika Zibanejad with Chris Kreider.[14] During his debut on 13 October 2016, Buchnevich recorded his first career NHL point, an assist, in a 5–3 win over the New York Islanders.[15] Following his debut, Buchnevich began to suffer from back spasms and missed the majority of October. Upon returning to the lineup, Buchnevich scored his first career NHL goal in a 5–2 win over the Boston Bruins on 5 November.[16] However, Buchnevich missed significant time during his rookie season with back spasms, including a stretch of nearly two months from November 2016 to January 2017.[17] After being cleared to return, Buchnevich was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack for a four-game conditioning stint,[18] before finally returning to the Rangers on 13 January in a 4–2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.[19] Following a two-month absence, Buchnevich recorded five points in three games, including three in a 7–6 loss to the Dallas Stars. While playing alongside playing Zibanejad and Rick Nash, he also averaged 2:38 per game on the second power-play unit.[20] He was returned to the AHL on 28 February 2017[21] but played one game before being recalled to the NHL level.[22] As the Rangers qualified for the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, Buchnevich was a healthy scratch until Game 4 when he replaced Tanner Glass. Upon joining the lineup, he helped the Rangers win both Game 4 and Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens.[23]

Following his rookie season, Buchnevich was moved throughout the lineup by coach Alain Vigneault in favor of older, more experienced players.[24] He began the 2018–19 season playing in a fourth line role alongside Boo Nieves and Michael Grabner. During the first few games of the season, the line combined for four goals and seven points.[25] By the end of November, Buchnevich had recorded 20 points in his first 25 games before his offensive output slowed down.[24] After recording a career-high 32 points through 50 games, Buchnevich suffered an upper-body injury during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on 2 February.[26] He eventually returned to their lineup on 16 February against the Ottawa Senators.[27] Buchnevich finished the season amongst the best Rangers forwards in regards to generating shot attempts, with 1.77 points per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play and 1.75 primary assists per game.[24]

Prior to his second season with the Rangers, the team hired David Quinn as their new head coach.[24] Under his new head coach, Buchnevich was again moved throughout the lineup including spending time on their fourth line with Chytil and Vinni Lettieri. In early October, Buchnevich became a healthy scratch for back-to-back games and was encouraged by Quinn to "play better" in order to return to the lineup.[28] He subsequently began the season by recording nine points in 14 games before suffering a broken thumb during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.[29] Upon healing, Buchnevich was again moved throughout the Rangers lineup and spent seven games as a right-wing on the fourth line. Following a 1–0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, Buchnevich was again scratched by Quinn. Buchnevich finished the season with a career-high 21 goals and 38 points in 64 games. On 26 July 2019, the Rangers avoided arbitration and re-signed Buchnevich to a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension.[30]

During the 2019–20 season, Buchnevich set career highs in points and assists before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the start of the season, Buchnevich played on the Rangers' first line and power-play unit alongside the newly acquired Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. Within their first two games together, they combined for 14 points.[31] After Zibanejad was injured in late October, Buchnevich played alongside Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil.[32] By 11 November, Buchnevich tied with Ryan Strome for the team lead in points with 11.[33] Once Zibanejad returned from his injury on 26 November, Buchnevich re-joined his original line.[34] Buchnevich's offensive output slowed down in December and he went nine games without tallying a point.[35] In February 2020, Buchnevich and teammate Igor Shesterkin were involved in a car accident in Brooklyn, resulting in him being listed as day-to-day.[36] As a result of the accident, he missed two games and about three weeks later, the NHL was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[37] Buchnevich finished the shortened regular season five goals away from tying his career-high and tallying 30 assists.[1] His 50.82 Corsi percentage ranked first on the team while his 51.85 expected goal for percentage ranked third.[38] Once the NHL returned to play, Buchnevich played in three playoff games, recording no points,[1] as the Rangers were eliminated from playoff contention by the Carolina Hurricanes.[39]

Buchnevich returned to the Rangers for the 2020–21 season after spending the off-season in Russia.[40] On 15 March 2021, Buchnevich was placed on the NHL's COVID protocol list[41] but was removed two days later and returned to the Rangers' lineup.[42] On 17 April 2021, Buchnevich recorded his first NHL career hat-trick during a 6–3 win against the New Jersey Devils.[43] During the month of May, Buchnevich and the Rangers engaged in a rivalry with the Washington Capitals during a back-to-back series.[44] After Tom Wilson was fined for sucker-punching Buchnevich,[45] he was suspended one game for responding by high-sticking Anthony Mantha.[46] On 4 May, Buchnevich and the Rangers were officially eliminated from 2021 Stanley Cup contention.[47] Upon completing the regular season with a career high 48 points through 54 games, Buchnevich engaged in contract negotiations with general manager Chris Drury as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.[48]

St. Louis Blues

On 23 July 2021, as a restricted free agent, Buchnevich was traded by the Rangers to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Samuel Blais and a 2022 second-round pick.[49] A few days later, Buchnevich signed a four-year, $23.2 million contract extension with the Blues.[50] Buchnevich helped the Blues remain undefeated to start the 2021–22 season before being suspended for two games for head-butting Arizona Coyotes forward Lawson Crouse during a game.[51] By March 2022, Buchnevich ranked third on the team in points with 46 through 50 games.[52] He missed three games during the month after suffering a concussion but returned to the lineup for their game against the Penguins on 17 March.[53] Later that month, Buchnevich scored his 99th and 100th career NHL goals in a 7–2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.[54]

International play

As a native of Russia, Buchnevich has represented his home country on numerous occasions at both the junior and senior levels. He made his international debut at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he won a gold medal.[4] Buchnevich then competed at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where he recorded two points in four games.[1] His only goal of the tournament came during the opening game against the United States.[55] His offensive output increased the following year during the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships but Team Russia again failed to medal.[1] After playing in two international tournaments where Russia failed to medal, Buchnevich helped them win a bronze medal at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and a silver medal at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[56]

Buchnevich remained off of Team Russia's international rosters until 2018 when he competed at the Ice Hockey World Championships.[57] In Russia's first game against France, Buchnevich recorded an assist and his first career World Championship goal in the 7–0 win.[58] He finished the tournament with three assists and one goal through eight games.[1]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2011–12Almaz CherepovetsMHL4515294455104374
2012–13Almaz CherepovetsMHL248152336314512
2012–13Severstal CherepovetsKHL12112060000
2013–14Almaz CherepovetsMHL20222745912
2013–14Severstal CherepovetsKHL407111812
2014–15Severstal CherepovetsKHL4813173016
2014–15Almaz CherepovetsMHL118122032
2015–16Severstal CherepovetsKHL4012172920
2015–16SKA Saint PetersburgKHL1844841412329
2016–17New York RangersNHL41812201350110
2016–17Hartford Wolf PackAHL43250
2017–18New York RangersNHL7414294320
2018–19New York RangersNHL6421173813
2019–20New York RangersNHL681630462430006
2020–21New York RangersNHL5420284842
2021–22St. Louis BluesNHL733046763412110116
2022–23St. Louis BluesNHL6326416736
2023–24St. Louis BluesNHL8027366348
KHL totals158375087522012329
NHL totals517162239401230201111212

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2011RussiaU1750110
2012RussiaIH185th41120
2013RussiaWJC184th756112
2014RussiaWJC725718
2015RussiaWJC71562
2018RussiaWC6th81342
Junior totals309182722
Senior totals81342

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pavel Buchnevich . Elite Prospects . 9 November 2021.
  2. Web site: Prewitt . Alex . Pavel Buchnevich Is Sparking the Rangers ... All While He Tries to Master English . Sports Illustrated . 9 November 2021 . 14 December 2017.
  3. Web site: JHL Alumni On Team Russia . . 3 February 2022 . 3 May 2015.
  4. Web site: Yakobson . Alexander . Russian wunderkind? . IIHF . 9 November 2021 . 12 April 2013.
  5. Web site: CSS Final 2013 International Skater Rankings . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021.
  6. Web site: Get To Know Pavel Buchnevich . MSG Networks . 3 February 2022 . 13 May 2016.
  7. Web site: Rosen . Dan . Skjei, Buchnevich among Rangers' top five prospects . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 28 August 2015.
  8. Web site: Rangers Agree to Terms With Forward Pavel Buchnevich . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 13 May 2016.
  9. Web site: Pavel Buchnevich is a SKA player! . SKA Saint Petersburg . 9 November 2021 . 20 December 2015.
  10. Web site: Павел Бучневич: "Буду бороться за место в составе" . SKA St. Petersburg . 3 February 2022 . Russian . 23 December 2015.
  11. News: Zipay . Steve . Rangers sign Russian prospect Pavel Buchnevich . 3 February 2022 . . 13 May 2016.
  12. Web site: Satriano . David . Pavel Buchnevich adapting to New York . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 26 September 2016.
  13. News: Caldwell . Dave . Rangers' Pavel Buchnevich, Rookie From Russia, Settles In . 9 November 2021 . The New York Times . 24 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170126103015/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/24/sports/hockey/rangers-pavel-buchnevich-rookie-from-russia-settles-in.html . 26 January 2017.
  14. Web site: Calamia . Matt . 90th Season Kicks Off Tonight Against Islanders . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 13 October 2016.
  15. Web site: Compton . Brian . Rangers withstand rally from Islanders . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 13 October 2016.
  16. Web site: Rangers at Bruins 11.5.16: Postgame Notes . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 5 November 2016.
  17. Web site: Kloke . Joshua . Rangers' Pavel Buchnevich finding his stride in first NHL season . Sports Illustrated . 4 February 2022 . 20 January 2017.
  18. Web site: Rangers Assign Pavel Buchnevich to Hartford . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 6 January 2017.
  19. Web site: Rosen . Dan . Maple Leafs continue success on road . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 13 January 2017.
  20. Web site: Jensen . Pete . Fantasy picks: Pavel Buchnevich stellar when healthy . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 18 January 2017.
  21. Web site: Rangers Assign Pavel Buchnevich to Hartford . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 28 February 2017.
  22. Web site: Rangers Recall Pavel Buchnevich from Hartford . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 2 March 2017.
  23. Web site: Basu . Arpon . Pavel Buchnevich has been catalyst for Rangers . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 21 April 2017.
  24. Web site: Gretz . Adam . Building off a breakthrough: Pavel Buchnevich . NBC Sports . 10 November 2021 . 20 August 2018.
  25. Web site: Calamia . Matt . Fourth Line Leads the Way in Win Over Coyotes . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 26 October 2017.
  26. Web site: Buchnevich out indefinitely for Rangers . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 2 February 2018.
  27. Web site: Buchnevich to return for Rangers against Senators . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 16 February 2018.
  28. Web site: Renna . Dominick . New York Rangers: Pavel Buchnevich to be a healthy scratch vs. Sharks . Elite Sports NY . 10 November 2021 . 30 October 2018.
  29. Web site: Satriano . David . Buchnevich out 4-6 weeks for Rangers . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 12 November 2018.
  30. Web site: Buchnevich agrees to two-year, $6.5 million contract with Rangers . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 29 July 2019.
  31. Web site: Obernauer . Michael . With No Games to Play, Blueshirts Get to Work . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 7 October 2019.
  32. Web site: Obernauer . Michael . Recap: The Kids Are Alright . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 30 October 2019.
  33. Web site: Obernauer . Michael . Ryan Strome, Goal Whisperer . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 11 November 2019.
  34. Web site: Obernauer . Michael . Mika Gets the Green Light to Rejoin Rangers . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 26 November 2019.
  35. Web site: Rosen . Dan . Nylander, Marner propel Maple Leafs past Rangers . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 20 December 2019.
  36. Web site: Rangers' Shesterkin, Buchnevich involved in car accident . Sportsnet . 9 November 2021 . 24 February 2020.
  37. Web site: NHL to pause season due to coronavirus . National Hockey League . 11 November 2021 . 12 March 2020.
  38. Web site: Amin . Leen . New York Rangers: Pavel Buchnevich is finally taking the next step . Elite Sports NY . 11 November 2021 . 29 June 2020.
  39. Web site: Gretz . Adam . Hurricanes complete sweep, eliminate Rangers . NBC Sports . 11 November 2021 . 4 August 2020.
  40. Web site: Stephenson . Colin . Most of Rangers' European players to return to New York this week . Newsday . 11 November 2021 . 21 June 2020.
  41. Web site: NHL COVID Protocol list - March 15 . The Sports Network . 9 November 2021 . 15 March 2021.
  42. Web site: Flyers at Rangers . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 17 March 2021.
  43. Web site: Buchnevich scores hat trick on birthday, lifts Rangers past Devils . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 17 April 2019.
  44. Web site: Regan . J. J. . Rangers' Buchnevich suspended for high-stick to Capitals' Mantha . NBC Sports . 11 November 2021 . 6 May 2021.
  45. Web site: Wilson fined $5,000 for roughing Buchnevich . The Sports Network . 11 November 2021 . 4 May 2020.
  46. Web site: Rangers' Buchnevich suspended one game for high-sticking Mantha . Sportsnet . 7 November 2021 . 6 May 2021.
  47. Web site: Rosen . Dan . Rangers miss playoffs, struggles against East elite among reasons . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 4 May 2021.
  48. Web site: Richardson . Lyle . Rangers' Buchnevich on the Trade Block? . Sports Illustrated . 10 November 2021 . 14 July 2021.
  49. Web site: Blues acquire Buchnevich in trade with Rangers . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 23 July 2021.
  50. Web site: Pinkert . Chris . Buchnevich agrees to four-year contract with Blues . National Hockey League . 7 November 2021 . 27 July 2021.
  51. Web site: Unbeaten St. Louis Blues lose veteran forward Pavel Buchnevich to suspension for head-butting. ESPN . 7 November 2021 . 19 October 2021.
  52. Web site: Pinkert . Chris . Buchnevich sidelined with upper-body injury . National Hockey League . 21 April 2022 . 10 March 2022.
  53. Web site: Korac . Lou . Jarry gets 30th win, Penguins defeat Blues in shootout . National Hockey League . 21 April 2022 . 18 March 2022.
  54. Web site: Pavel Buchnevich scores 2 goals for Blues, giving him 100 goals in career . KSDK . Associated Press . 21 April 2022 . 27 March 2022.
  55. Web site: Russia tops U.S. in shootout at Ivan Hlinka tourney . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 13 August 2012.
  56. Web site: World Juniors Look Back: Current Rangers Who Played in Tournament . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 29 December 2020.
  57. Web site: Calamia . Matt . Seven Rangers Head to World Championships . National Hockey League . 9 November 2021 . 3 May 2018.
  58. Web site: Aykroyd . Lucas . Russia flattens France . IIHF . 3 February 2022 . 4 May 2018.