Pavel Buchnevich is slated to start the season on the Rangers top line with his regular linemates Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.
Buchnevich said that, like any player, he wants to take a step towards getting more minutes and playing an important role on the team. (NHL.com/RU)
Mika Zibanejad said that Buchnevich worked hard this summer, came to camp with a "good attitude" and has looked "a lot more upbeat." (The Athletic)
Zibanejad said that he sees "huge" potential in Buchnevich. (NHL.com/RU)
David Quinn said that Buchnevich is a highly skilled and tjat when he plays fast and adds a little bit of physicality to his game he can be really effective. (NYR)
He added "I think he has a world of talent, I think he is starting to learn structure, how important structure can be. Usually when you are that talented you don't worry about structure because you don't need to rely on it growing up, but when you get to this level you gotta know where to be and the structure and the system to let your talent flourish and influence the game. That is the next piece for him to learn. He's a coachable kid, I think he wants to learn." (NYR)
Mika Zibanejad said that Buchnevich worked hard this summer, came to camp with a "good attitude" and has looked "a lot more upbeat." (The Athletic)
For a lot more on Buchnevich, visit The Athletic
Quinn said on 10/3, "Pavel has big time talent and is coming into year three and has high expectations for himself and be in a great spot mentally." (NYR)
Jeff Gorton said during the Rangers town hall recently, that Buchnevich "could be a world class type player, it's just a matter of him rounding out his 200ft game. I'd expect him to have a good year and drive our offense on the PP and at 5 on 5." (NYR)
Buchnevich is an RFA after the season.
Adam Rotter: Through two seasons, even though it's a bit of a limited sample size, Buchnevich is averaging .55 points per game and there is no reason to think that he can't continue on that pace or improve. He has the skill to put up 60ish points during a season and will be on a line and in situations where he will have that opportunity. He's still only 23 and while most of the rebuild focus is on Chytil, Andersson, Howden and Kravtsov, Buchnevich is definitely in the mix and possibly a big part of it with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. If the Kreider, Zibanejad, Buchnevich trio is able to produce as a top-line should, that would accelerate the rebuild and solidify some more pieces for the Rangers to move forward with.