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Pavel Buchnevich offered contract extension by SKA St. Petersburg
Bobby Bevilacqua

Photo courtesy of Claus Anderson/Getty Images.
UPDATE: An article for this news story was written/broken on Full Tilt NYR by Steven Cifuentes. Please go support that article and site HERE since he wrote about the situation first.
The Pavel Buchnevich situation has gotten a bit more interesting, and the Rangers could have some trouble bringing their top prospect over to North America next season.
According to Aivis Kanins, a hockey writer covering the KHL, SKA St. Petersburg has offered Buchnevich a contract extension to stay with them beyond these playoffs. Buchnevich started out with the Severstal Cherepovets, but was traded during the season. He finished the regular season with 37 points (16-21-37) in 58 games, and has three points (1-2-3) in four playoff games with SKA.
Hearing Pavel Buchnevich has received an offer to extend his contract with SKA St.Petersburgh
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) March 3, 2016
The reason this contract extension is concerning is because of the situation surrounding Ilya Kovalchuk and St. Petersburg. Kovalchuk, the former Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils star, was left off of the playoff roster by SKA and is working to have his contract terminated. It’s widely believed that he is planning on returning to the NHL. Read the rest of this entry
Top trade targets and how the Rangers should approach the deadline
Bobby Bevilacqua

Photo courtesy of Bruce Bennet/Getty Images.
Following the conclusion of an exciting 2016 NHL All Star game, one that saw Pacific Division captain John Scott scored two goals and help led his team to the million dollar prize, the league will get back to business with games starting on Tuesday.
Perhaps more importantly is the approaching trade deadline, when the trade window closes on February 29. Team’s looking to improve their roster and make a playoff push will be inquiring about several players around the league, and the Rangers are expected to be right in the middle of it, both as buyers and sellers.
With Alain Vigneault’s misuse of Keith Yandle and his expiring contract, the Rangers may unfortunately wind up dealing him to a team looking for a puck moving defenseman. However, they’ll also likely be in the market for a top six winger to add some consistent scoring, something they really need. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers must bring in reinforcements for bottom six forwards
John Dundon

Dominic Moore needs some help on the fourth line. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It is impossible to predict what rookie GM Jeff Gorton will do with the trade deadline looming exactly one month away this Friday. One thing is certain: a team dressing Danny Paille is not one that is going to contend for a Stanley Cup. Sure, Paille is only playing because Rick Nash is out with a leg injury, but injuries happen in the playoffs too. If the Rangers first answer for an injury is Danny Paille, or Jayson Megna for that matter, they are in trouble.
The thrusting of Paille into the lineup by head coach Alain Vigneault seems like a desperation move. Paille was passed up for over a full season by all other 29 NHL clubs and putting up mediocre numbers in the AHL when Gorton came calling and offering him an NHL job. He’s been really bad since he was brought in on Jan. 22nd to play in what was a 4-1 Rangers win against Carolina. It’s a small sample size, but the Rangers have been out-chanced 10-2, and outshot 47-20 while Daniel Paille has been on the ice in the last three games. Gross. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers send scouts to Russia to watch Buchnevich, could be a late season add
Bobby Bevilacqua
With Adam Graves already in Russia as a scout, the Rangers have decided to send Chris Drury, the Director of Player Development, over to the KHL to observe the organization’s top prospect, winger Pavel Buchnevich.
Buchnevich opted to stay in the KHL this season rather than come for training camp. This was definitely the right move for him, especially since the training camp roster wound up being deeper and more talented than expected. He also wanted to improve his English before coming to America.
Instead of making the team as a spare forward or joining the Wolf Pack, Buchnevich is instead enjoying top line minutes in a competitive professional hockey league, shouldering tough matchups on a nightly basis. And he’s done a really good job so far this year. Read the rest of this entry
New York Rangers: Wolf Pack and Prospect Report
Drew Williams
Notable Prospect Notes
Pavel Buchnevich
- Buchnevich has been excellent with Severstal of the KHL, playing on the top line as one of the leading scorers. Buchnevich has six goals and 10 assists in 23 games.
Brian Gibbons:
- Leading in points for the Wolf Pack with eight points in ten games played (3G, 5A)
- Signed in free agency; Played for the Penguins and Columbus
- Likely to be called up if a third-line player is injured
Brady Skjei
- Highly touted 1st rounder taken by the Ranger 28th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft
- Has played in all ten AHL games so far
- Statline: 0G, 3A, 3P; +1 with 0 PIM

