The St. Louis Blues are entering a new era of hockey, as their once steady and consistent core is now mostly gone. Pavel Buchnevich is one of the names left from that group, but this upcoming season could have some thoughts of it being his last in the Blue Note.
Where does he fit in with this new core comprised mostly of players under the age of 25, and a focus on the prospects rising in the ranks? Is he considered a leader-type, or will he get in the way of greatness? To say he is on thin ice for 2026-27 is an understatement.
Let's talk about it.
Make or break year?
It seems like every year the stigma with Buchnevich is that it will be a better year than the last. Since joining the Blues in 2021-22, his contributions have declined with each passing season. From a career-high 76 points in that initial year to only aiding the Blues offense with 48 points in 81 games in 2025-26, things have reached a boiling point.
If No. 89 continues to falter, he has to be moved at some point. This upcoming year has a lot riding on it in terms of establishing a correct order for the roster and making sure that whoever is going to be on the train when the Stanley Cup Contender is slapped on the Blues standing in the NHL. Buchnevich has to prove he belongs with a positive season.
Getting back to 30+ goals should be the expectation for the labeled goal-scorer, but even pushing the needle toward a point total in the high-60s, low-70s is also an overwhelming positive.
Could be blocking the way
It is also important to remember that he is a top-six forward making an AAV of $8 million. Costing $166,667-a-point last season is not going to fly with a team that has a lot of signings to do with blossoming talent at the end of the 2026-27 season. Buchnevich could be seen as a roadblock for a prospect like Justin Carbonneau or Dmitri Buchelnikov.
For Buchnevich, the game plan for next season is simple. All-out offensive attack, or be prepared for the ultimatum to come down of your departure and replacement by a player making his NHL debut. That is the reality check that might instill some much-needed fire under No. 89.
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