A make or break season for 5 New York Rangers
By Steve Paulus
#2 Pavel Buchnevich
Pavel Buchnevich is going into the last year of a two-year bridge deal he signed in 2019. He will be an arbitration eligible Restricted Free Agent (RFA) after the season.
The engimatic Buchnevich has been labelled an underachiever, but as Blue Line Station’s Jason Katinas pointed out, he compares favorably to Chris Kreider. Look at their stats after four NHL seasons, you may be surprised. Kreider played 248 games with 61 goals and 129 points. Buchnevich played 247 games with 59 goals and 147 points.
In Kreider’s fifth season he broke out with 28 goals and and 53 points, both career highs. Can Buchnevich do the same?
Playing on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Krieder, there is no reason that Buchnevich cannot excel. If he does, the Rangers will be in a position to lock the Russian into a long term contract. He will be 26 in April and a five year contract will carry him through his prime.
If Buchnevich falters, there is no doubt that the Rangers will test the trade market. With the expansion draft looming, if they can move him in exchange for draft picks or other assets, it might be the best move for the Blueshirts as he risks becoming another version of Ryan Strome.