It's still early, but some trends are beginning to become clear in the 2026-27 NHL season. One of those is surprising to fans that have been watching the Blues closely in the last few seasons - and that is the improvement Pavel Buchnevich has shown on the ice through 14 games. Buchnevich has been a very popular target for widespread criticism from the fanbase due to his consistently lackluster play since 2024. Add that he's making $8 million a year for the next 5 seasons and you have a perfect storm for the Blues' organization's biggest whipping boy.
Buchnevich is elite on the PK
The poor special teams play last year was a huge point of emphasis this offseason, and improving both the PP and the PK was seen as a top priority coming into this year. The power play has had a slow start, but the penalty kill has been great so far with the Blues posting an 83.3% success rate on the PK - good for 9th best in the NHL. The two biggest pieces of the Blues' PK are Pius Suter and Pavel Buchnevich, with the latter eating an absurd 46.6% of total possible 4 v 5 ice time this season for the Blues.
You can't help kill a penalty if you're the one in the box, and Buchnevich has done an excellent job of avoiding that thus far as the Russian has yet to take a penalty through the entire first 17% of the Blues' season. On top of that discipline is responsibility in the defensive zone, and Buch has only committed 3 defensive zone giveaways this year. All of this adds up to a player that you can lean on defensively in almost any situation, something that every successful team in the league has.
Buchnevich is productive regardless of his linemates
Due to some offensive struggles, coach Jim Montgomery has shuffled some lines around early on this season. Thankfully, 89 has been able to produce on any line - due in large part to his ability to maintain possession of the puck along the boards even when under intense pressure from the opponent. Buch has been so successful that three of the Blues top six lines this year by xGoals% have Buchnevich on them.
When you're an offensively streaky team that needs to change things up sometimes, having a guy that can thrive in any situation you put them in is such a valuable asset and that's exactly what Buchnevich has provided.
Buchnevich is scoring goals
One of the biggest and most valid criticisms of Buchnevich in recent years has been his inability to finish high quality scoring chances. Thankfully, that tenancy to be snakebitten for long stretches seems to have improved in recent weeks. He scored goals in two of the Blues' last five games, both of which came at very important moments in their respective games. It's a huge "if", but if Buch can keep this trend going and continue to score big goals for the team he will finally reclaim the biggest missing part of his game.
It's time for Blues fans to take a closer look at Buchnevich and reevaluate their criticisms of him. People should absolutely continue to be critical of lackluster play from players that should be St. Louis's best, but those of us in the fanbase should try to avoid falling into the trap of blaming the same skaters every night regardless of their on ice performance. As of right now, Buchnevich is definitely doing his part to rewrite the narrative surrounding his contributions to this team.
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