The St. Louis Blues will have to wait until the 2027-28 season for Dmitri Buchelnikov. The flashy Russian prospect, acquired by the Blues in the Justin Faulk trade, has committed to the KHL for another year.
Buchelnikov, selected 52nd overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, was one of three pieces the Blues acquired from the Detroit Red Wings. The 22-year-old forward has 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 41 games with CSKA Moscow this season. The Blues have not signed him to his first NHL contract yet. Having said that, they will indefinitely retain his signing rights. The NHL and KHL suspended their transfer agreement and have not renewed it yet.
Blues Experience Setback with Buchelnikov
This move is significantly frustrating for St. Louis. With the team short on forwards next season, Buchelnikov could have easily made the opening night roster. Now, the team will have to contend with two factors: an unsigned prospect, and another year without that prospect. On the bright side, Buchelnikov’s contract with the KHL is only a year long. Should the Blues remain in communication with the Russian forward, there’s a chance they could get him sooner rather than later.
Buchelnikov brings a layer of skill to St. Louis that could easily bolster players like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. Should they decide to hold onto his rights, they have a chance to bring a potentially dynamic forward into the fold. Buchelnikov has the potential to be a steal for the Blues if he develops properly. But, ultimately, that depends on two factors: Buchelnikov coming to the United States, and the flashy forward reaching his potential.
Should the Blues decide to take a different direction, however, they can always trade his rights to another team. Plenty of organizations yearn for players of Buchelnikov’s caliber. The Blues could very well recoup additional assets in picks or prospects if they decide to move on. Ultimately, it will depend on what general manager Doug Armstrong wants to do moving forward.
Blues Receive Good News on Draft Front
Fortunately, the Red Wings’ 2026 first round pick the Blues acquired is unprotected. As of right now, the Red Wings are dealing with a rash of injuries to key players. Should they miss the playoffs, the Blues will have a better opportunity at a top draft pick.
“We’ve added Detroit’s first-round pick in 2026, Colorado’s first-round pick in 2026, New Jersey’s third-round pick in 2026, San Jose’s third-round pick in 2026, a player that we had 20th on our list a few years ago in Buchelnikov, a second-round pick from the Red Wings and a goaltender that we liked from a couple years ago too,” Armstrong said in a post-deadline press conference. “Those picks can he used as selections, they can be used for trades and then we’ve added experienced players in Drouin and Holl to help with that transition moving forward.
“When you look at the three first-round picks we had a few years ago, since then we’ve taken [Adam] Jiricek and [Justin] Carbonneau and three more this year, we’re hoping to build a solid stable that can grow together.”
Blues Prospect Commits to KHL