While the New York Rangers were busy trying to find a replacement for Pavel Buchnevich, the gifted forward was busy extending his deal with the St. Louis Blues for six years and $48 million on Tuesday. The deal that sent Buchnevich to the Blues on July 23, 2021, from the Rangers, had been going on for over three years. As a result, Buchnevich has scored 26 goals or more in each of his three seasons with the Blues, and he set a new NHL record with 30 goals in 2021–22. His point total for the regular season was 206 in 216 games. And now he has a sizable payout waiting for him in St. Louis.
With three consecutive 100-point seasons, a Presidents’ Trophy, and two appearances in the Eastern Conference Final, the Rangers have done rather well since that transaction. What they haven’t done since that deal is basically find a replacement for Buchnevich on Mika Zibanejad’s line. And that, according to some, is the main reason the Rangers haven’t been able to win the Stanley Cup. Impressive figures have been posted by Zibanejad and his left-wing best friend Chris Kreider. But none of the several right wings who have attempted to succeed Buchnevich—particularly Zibanejad—have been able to establish consistent chemistry.
The greatest was Frank Vatrano, who, after being acquired before the 2022 trade deadline, blended in nicely on the top line. Despite losing the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference final, he got along great with Zibanejad and Kreider the whole time. Attempts to replace Buchnevich have been unsuccessful with names like Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, Kaapo Kakko, Blake Wheeler, Jimmy Vesey and even Dryden Hunt (!). It is worth noting, though, that Alexis Lafreniere scored 28 goals last season while playing right wing instead of Zibanejad’s line.
Buchnevich, meantime, has been a paragon of reliability for the Blues, ranking second in the league in goals scored and assists total over the last three years. With his contract with the Blues extended through his age-36 season in 2030–31, he has become an integral part of the team. He will be the third-highest paid Blues player when his agreement becomes effective for the 2025–26 season.