Edmonton Oilers listed as a potential suitor for winger Pavel Buchnevich
By Cam Lewis
1 month agoWe’re only a few days away from the Trade Deadline for the 2023-24 season and the Edmonton Oilers have yet to make a splash.
The Oilers were reportedly in the mix for defenceman Chris Tanev, who wound up being traded from the Calgary Flames to the Dallas Stars last week, though most of the speculation around Edmonton’s deadline plans indicate the team will seek a game-changing forward.
Among the best forwards available this year is St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich, who was profiled by Frank Seravalli at Daily Faceoff on Tuesday. Seravalli also listed the Oilers as one of the ideal suitors to trade for Buchnevich ahead of the deadline.
Carolina Hurricanes: The Canes don’t like to pay for rentals and Buchnevich isn’t one. He can be a difference maker that the Hurricanes could really use when it comes to netting big goals in the playoffs.Detroit Red Wings: As Steve Yzerman continues to build, Buchnevich fits Detroit’s salary cap picture now and moving forward, and he could take a playoff team and turn them into an upset threat. He might be a great fit to play as a finisher for Patrick Kane the way he can find soft ice.Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers continue to look for a top-six winger who can contribute in a meaningful way and Buchnevich checks that box. He was also great against Edmonton recently – and Ken Holland and Doug Armstrong are close.New York Rangers: Buchnevich was a cap casualty in New York, one of the first trades Chris Drury made as GM, and it’s probably one he’d like back – even if he couldn’t afford Buchnevich’s $5.8 million RFA deal then. It’s a bargain now. The Blueshirts have an opening on the wing and want to be aggressive.New York Islanders: Doesn’t sound like Lou Lamoriello is waving the white flag this season. The Isles need more scoring pop, more difference makers. Can’t rule them out.Vegas Golden Knights: One year ago, the Golden Knights acquired a Russian-born winger from St. Louis. They only went on to win the Stanley Cup. This Russian is better – and the VGK have $6.3 million in cap space and could afford his deal next season with the cap increasing.
Since being acquired by the Blues in a trade with the New York Rangers in the summer of 2021, Buchnevich has quietly been producing at a very high level. Between 2021-22 and 2023-24, Buchnevich has 80 goals and 191 points over 195 games along with a 156-to-103 goal differential at even-strength.
Like Mattias Ekholm last year, Buchnevich wouldn’t just be a rental. He’s signed for one more season after this one with a $5.8 million salary cap hit.
The Oilers got the Predators to retain $250k annually on Ekholm’s contract and they also moved Tyson Barrie in return and shipped out Jesse Puljujarvi in a separate deal. If the Oilers are going to acquire a game-changing winger like Buchnevich, they’ll have to get creative like they did with Nashville.
BUCHNEVICH’S CAREER SO FAR
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PGP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 59 | 24 | 24 | 48 | 40 | 10 | |||||
| NHL Totals | 496 | 159 | 227 | 386 | 222 | 20 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
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