The biggest acquisition the Rangers could make this year is Pavel Buchnevich
Buchnevich (KHL)
This February, should Pavel Buchnevich’s KHL squad fail to make the playoffs he could be in a Rangers sweater and ready to roll. Releasing Petr Zamorsky now gives the Rangers 2 open contract spots in order to make some moves.
@jrmaher01 @NYR_FullTilt Buchnevich’s last KHL game is 2/18/16. If his team doesn’t make playoffs, he can sign with NYthereafter if he wants
— HockeyStatMiner (@HockeyStatMiner) November 17, 2015
The Rangers’ Russian Dynamo has 7G and 20 points with 2 PPG in 29 games. He has been dazzling fans with his offensive brilliance and making Blueshirts fans drool with snipes like this…
#NYR Prospect Pavel Buchnevich finished with a goal on 4 shots in 18:32 in Severstal’s 3-2 OT win. pic.twitter.com/ogc6aVEh9a — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) August 28, 2015
Recently the NY POST reported:
The Rangers recently sent Adam Graves to Russia to go scout their top prospect, forward Pavel Buchnevich, currently playing in the KHL. The team will send Chris Drury to continue the scouting in the next few weeks, as Buchnevich, 20, could be a late-season addition after the KHL regular season ends Feb. 16.
So where would the Rangers put this kid who has been regularly playing left wing? Why not on the 2nd line with Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan. J.T. Miller would need to drop back to the third line with Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg, which would move Viktor Stalberg down on the 4th line.
The dilemma becomes the lack of a spot for Emerson Etem and Dominic Moore, but of course that could change by the NHL trade deadline. If Buchnevich can fit and play top 6 minutes right away, his addition would mean the most optimal lineup the Rangers could put forth heading into the stretch run.
Playing with Derek Stepan, who is underrated for his responsible defensive play will allow Buchnevich to stretch his offensive wings as well. Regardless, should the kid not be able to cut the mustard, practicing with the team and sitting in the press box would not hurt his development for the remainder of the year. Whomever the Rangers extra forward is could easily be put back on the 4th line and bump Miller and Stalberg up to their current spots today. Either way, it’s a great problem to have.
By the way, Buchnevich’s team Severstal is dead last in the conference and 27th out of 28 teams right now. Get ready Rangers fan…a Russian invasion looks like it’s coming.
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