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Armchair GM New York Rangers roster review: Part 3- Right wings

By Jason Katinas

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 14:20 of the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 14:20 of the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 03: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 14:20 of the second period at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 03: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 14:20 of the second period at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

#89   Pavel Buchnevich

If Chris Kreider is the enigma of the left side, Pavel Buchnevich is the puzzle on the right. While they go about their work on the ice a different manner, their stat lines through the first four years of their career are very similar.

Click here for a side by side comparison.

Buchnevich is headed into the final year of his bridge deal and will be an arbitration eligible RFA after the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. This season his career high 46 points ranked him fifth on the team, but the disturbing fact is his lack of production from November 16, 2019 through January 2, 2020.  Through those 23 games Buchnevich scored just four goals and added three assists, while being held scoreless for streaks of five and nine games. To add to his puzzle, Buchnevich then went on a streak of 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in just 28 games.

Similar to what Kreider will be experiencing on the left side, Buchnevich will be feeling the pressure from the Rangers’ younger right wings. Kappo Kakko’s (more on him later) start to his NHL career was slower than most had hoped, but after a full year and an eye opening Stanley Cup Qualifying round, he should be ready to move up. Add to the mix Vitali Kravtsov, who will be looking to make the team as well after starting the season n the KHL. As a number nine pick he will be expected to produce offensively and if he meets expectations he won’t be kept on the third line for long.

With one year remaining on his contract and his rights retained thereafter, Buchnevich certainly has a spot on the team for next season. That said, his future, to be determined as early as the trade deadline or expansion draft, will depend on not only his own game, but that of the two young guns directly behind him

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