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).

Pavel Buchnevich
Buchnevich warmup skating.jpg
Buchnevich with the St. Louis Blues in 2022
Born (1995-04-17) 17 April 1995 (age 29)
Cherepovets, Russia
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 193 lb (88 kg; 13 st 11 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
St. Louis Blues
Severstal Cherepovets
SKA Saint Petersburg
New York Rangers
National team  Russia
NHL draft 75th overall, 2013
New York Rangers
Playing career 2012–present

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

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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

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Professional

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Severstal Cherepovets

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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

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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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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[citation needed] 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

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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

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Medal record
Representing   Russia
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
  2014 Sweden
  2015 Canada
World U17 Challenge
  2011 Russia

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

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Almaz Cherepovets MHL 45 15 29 44 55 10 4 3 7 4
2012–13 Almaz Cherepovets MHL 24 8 15 23 36 3 1 4 5 12
2012–13 Severstal Cherepovets KHL 12 1 1 2 0 6 0 0 0 0
2013–14 Almaz Cherepovets MHL 2 0 2 2 2 7 4 5 9 12
2013–14 Severstal Cherepovets KHL 40 7 11 18 12
2014–15 Severstal Cherepovets KHL 48 13 17 30 16
2014–15 Almaz Cherepovets MHL 11 8 12 20 32
2015–16 Severstal Cherepovets KHL 40 12 17 29 20
2015–16 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 18 4 4 8 4 14 1 2 3 29
2016–17 New York Rangers NHL 41 8 12 20 13 5 0 1 1 0
2016–17 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 4 3 2 5 0
2017–18 New York Rangers NHL 74 14 29 43 20
2018–19 New York Rangers NHL 64 21 17 38 13
2019–20 New York Rangers NHL 68 16 30 46 24 3 0 0 0 6
2020–21 New York Rangers NHL 54 20 28 48 42
2021–22 St. Louis Blues NHL 73 30 46 76 34 12 1 10 11 6
2022–23 St. Louis Blues NHL 63 26 41 67 36
2023–24 St. Louis Blues NHL 80 27 36 63 48
KHL totals 158 37 50 87 52 20 1 2 3 29
NHL totals 517 162 239 401 230 20 1 11 12 12

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2011 Russia U17   5 0 1 1 0
2012 Russia IH18 5th 4 1 1 2 0
2013 Russia WJC18 4th 7 5 6 11 2
2014 Russia WJC   7 2 5 7 18
2015 Russia WJC   7 1 5 6 2
2018 Russia WC 6th 8 1 3 4 2
Junior totals 30 9 18 27 22
Senior totals 8 1 3 4 2

References

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