Report: Pavel Buchnevich will reportedly return this Sunday with other overseas Rangers to follow next week

Updated:

Newsday’s Colin Stephenson is reporting that Pavel Buchnevich via his agent, and several other Rangers overseas are expected back next week. According to his report, we can expect Buchnevich back from Russia this Sunday.

Mika Zibanejad and other European Rangers

Mr. Stephenson also indicated all other European Rangers currently on the roster are expected back next week, ahead of the June 30th deadline for expiring visas. We reported on this potential issue that would impact both Jesper Fast and Alexandar Georgiev who have expiring contracts and thus expiring visas. Here’s a full roster list of overseas Rangers:

Buchnevich will be the first NYR back from overseas (Getty Images)

Jesper Fast UFA

Jesper Fast will become a UFA at the conclusion of this “season”. However, the NHL end of year calendar date is June 30th and July 1st signals the beginning of free agent frenzy. Fast, whom the Rangers opted to keep will have his visa expiring on that day along with his contract. Jesper will be unrestricted and any team looking to strengthen their lineup will be interested. A team source indicated to me that they are working on these visas now just like all other teams in the NHL.

Alexandar Georgiev RFA

The Rangers 24 year-old netminder has been practicing with Kaapo Kakko in Finland during the pause. Similar to Jesper Fast, his contract will be expiring on June 30th as will his visa. The difference for Alexandar Georgiev is he will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1st. Prior to Igor Shesterkin’s call up and subsequent taking the #1 job, Georgiev helped keep the Rangers in the hunt for most of the year.

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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