Blues forward, with one year remaining on current contract, sounds open to signing extension to remain in St. Louis; Armstrong will have conversations with player's representatives this summer

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Doug Armstrong had no intention of trading Pavel Buchnevich at the March 8 NHL Trade Deadline and it was clearly obvious why: the St. Louis Blues general manager is interested in keeping the forward in St. Louis beyond the end of his current contract.

Buchnevich, who signed a four-year, $23.2 million contract ($5.8 million average annual value) after the Blues acquired him from the New York Rangers on July 27, 2021, has one year remaining on his contract, and talks of an extension apparently will take place at some point in the near future.

"Yeah, we'll approach him. We'll approach him," Armstrong said Thursday. "I'm a big Pavel fan."

Many wonder if Buchnevich would want to play out the season and have all options available nextsummer, which is possible, but the forward, who had 63 points (27 goals, 36 assists) in 80 games this season, shares his sentiments towards the Blues and playing here.

"I like it here," Buchnevich said.

Buchnevich has grown his game since his arrival. He has 206 points (83 goals, 123 assists) in 216 games and helped the Blues reach the playoffs in 2021-22. He's been used in all roles and situations, including taking on a role as a center the past two seasons.

"After Rangers trade here, kind of my hockey career change," Buchnevich said. "More play big minutes, play big role here. This season, not as great as previous ones but last couple years, previous ones, I think I prove I can be good player."

The Blues would likely have to make an investment of a minimum 6-8 years in term and the neighborhood of probably $7-$8 million in AAV give or take to get a deal done.

Armstrong doesn't seem to be concerned with the fact Buchnevich would begin a new contract until he turns 30 and would take him to 36-38 depending on the length. He likes the player and feels the player can be a good commodity for a number of seasons.

"Again, with free agency, it's a two way street," Armstrong said. 'He just turned, I think, 29 yesterday. If I was Pavel, I would want to sit with the manager and talk to him. He's at the age now where he should ask me hard questions about the direction of this organization because he's at the age now ... I assume winning is going to be very important, and he wants to know how quickly we can win because he's going to get his money. He's good enough, he's going to get his money. I would like him to be here. I have to sell him on why, and then we have to sell each other on why we can be comfortably uncomfortable with the financial deal that we make. But I'm a big Pavel fan."

Buchnevich said he will take every thing, "Positive of course. You don't know what's going to happen. You see rumors. You guys trade me for like two months. A little bit stressed moment, but deadline done, stress relief and I have a good talk with Doug. He say he going to talk to my representative in the summer and we'll see how it goes.

"I don't want to (say) what's going to determine it. Like I say, I like it here. We'll see what's going to happen."