Pavel Buchnevich // Credit: HC Severstal
Pavel Buchnevich is a crucial player for the St. Louis Blues. The 29-year-old forward joined the Blues three years ago after playing for the Rangers and has excelled. This summer, the Russian signed a 6-year contract extension with St. Louis worth $48 million, with an average annual value of $8 million. The extension will take effect from the 2025-26 season. Buchnevich expressed that he quickly agreed with the team on the contract extension.
“Everything was simple and easy. We didn’t even negotiate. We agreed on the amount right away,” Buchnevich said in a one-on-one interview with RG. “The first time we talked was after the end of the season. We didn’t talk about the amount. They told me, ‘You’re a priority for us. We want to extend your contract this summer.’ I could have signed a new contract starting July 1. I told them to contact my agent. At the draft, the Blues representatives met my agent, discussed everything, and he returned to me. Then we had a call: me, Doug Armstrong, and the assistant general manager, who would become the general manager in two years [Alex Steen]. They told me how they saw the team’s development and asked my opinion.
About five days before the draft, I received a five-year contract offer. At the call, I said, ‘Let’s make it six years.’ After the draft, the Blues wrote that they were ready for six years. I wanted a 6-year contract so that I could play 1,000 games. 1,000 is a cool number."
Buchnevich's contract has a partial no-trade clause: a 20-team no-trade list in year 5, and a 15-team no-trade list in year 6. However, Pavel says that this clause does not disturb him.
"I didn't think about it. Going to another club is better if the team doesn't want to keep you. I didn't even discuss the no-trade clause; the agent negotiated it."
Expectations of a Trade
Buchnevich's current contract, worth $5.8 million per season, expires in 2025. Last season, rumors circulated that the Russian player could be traded before the deadline.
"Nobody told me that I definitely wouldn't be traded. Reporters were spreading the word, constantly discussing where I could be traded, asking: "Have you heard if you'll be traded?" But I didn't know what could happen. The managers were talking among themselves. You can't ignore it, someone will send you some story anyway, and you'll read it.
After the deadline, I felt the club wanted to keep me for a long time. Doug said that they were counting on me. After that conversation, I was moved to the center, where I played until the end of the season. Now, maybe I'll have a different role in the team. We'll see."
Missing the Playoffs and Berube's Firing
The St. Louis Blues have failed to make the playoffs for two consecutive years, which frustrates everyone on the team.
"We had a poor start of the season,” Buchnevich says. “We lost many games, and it was difficult to recover as the gap in points was significant. Although we managed to win some games, we still needed to catch up. I could have played much better. The team's leaders must play better to make the playoffs. I didn't score. Sometimes, I didn't convert the chances that my teammates had created for me. Only Robert Thomas had a good season. The rest of us played below their level.
There were health issues, but this happens every year. This is not an excuse. It depends more on confidence. If I scored an extra goal, and the team won, it is easier emotionally."
On December 12, 2023, after four consecutive losses, Craig Berube, who coached the team since 2018 and won the Stanley Cup in 2019, was fired. Drew Bannister led the Blues AHL farm team, the Springfield Thunderbirds, and was appointed Blues interim head coach. Bannister was approved as the head coach and signed a two-year contract in May.
"Probably, we just needed a change. The year before, we didn't make the playoffs; we started poorly the next year again,” Buchnevich says. “Of course, it was a shock at first, but hockey is a business, and anyone can get fired here.
Under Bannister, the system remained the same. It was just the new coach who gave new emotions. Some players' roles in the team changed, and the lines changed a little.
Bannister is a demanding coach. He’s a great motivator. In the AHL, all his teams were playing hard. As I understand it, the management had an idea to bring back the Blues that were hard for everyone to play against."
No Long Rebuild for the Blues
Buchnevich was told the club's strategy for the coming years during the negotiations for a new contract:
"They told me there would be no long rebuild; they want to make a strong team here and now. No one is interested in a long rebuild. They said that they would try to strengthen the team in the market. They also outlined the situation with young players: many good hockey players are coming. I know Doug Armstrong. He is the kind of person who wants to win here and now. He has already announced that in two years, he is leaving for another position; I don't think he wants to waste this time on a rebuild. It is also important that all our leaders are under contract. And the guys and I must play better for the team to win."
Daria went to St. Petersburg State University and earned a bachelor of international journalism. Working as a sports journalist from 2014, from 2016 as a hockey journalist. Covered 5 World Championships, 2022 Winter Olympics, 2020 World Juniors, 6 Gagarin Cup Finals.
Owner of a telegram channel Coolest Game on Earth.
Integrative nutritionist specializing on sports nutritionology.
