Despite trade rumors, inconsistent stretches of play by his own admission, forward was tied for second in goals this past season, third in points in another overall solid season
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- By his own admission, Pavel Buchnevich was his own worst critic.
The St. Louis Blues forward went through stretches of games where things could have gone much better for him, and when asked, he wouldn't hesitate letting it be known that he could have, and should have been better.
But in the long run, it was still another solid season, his third in St. Louis, for Buchnevich, who for long swaths was the subject of trade rumors with the Blues teetering on the edge of being in or out of the playoffs and just one year remaining on his contract.
Buchnevich finished the season tied for second in goals (27) with Jake Neighbours, trailing only Jordan Kyrou's 31, and his second-best goal output of his career (30 in 2021-22); and he was third in points with 63 in 80 games and again filled a role as second-line center, just as he did towards the end of last season, when the Blues needed someone to fill a need.
Buchnevich will be going into the final year of a four-year, $23.2 million contract ($5.8 million average annual value) he signed upon being acquired from the New York Rangers in 2021, and there seems to be interest in the two sides about an extension after making it through the trade deadline on March 8.
The forward spoke at the end-of-season media gathering about the season in general, why the Blues missed out on the playoffs for a second straight season, his time in St. Louis and if he's open to staying long term:
How do you look at the season overall?
Disappointing of course. We make a good push last month and losing (games) that we kind of should win. That kind of takes away chance from our games. But it's still a good experience and hopefully we learn from that and build something for next year.
Why was this team better this year?
I feel like it's more structure how we play. We now kind of dig into our system and more responsible defensively. We don't give up like many chances, even against good teams. Carolina, those top teams. We play well against them. I feel like last couple months, we show how if we play as a group and dig into the system and don't make too many bad turnovers, we can play against anybody. It's a disappointing season because we lost like Columbus, San Jose, Chicago, those types of games is like 16-18 points. That's why we're here.
Is there anything you can change so you don't have those issues against bottom teams?
I guess have to be ready. All three games (against) San Jose, it's like same type of scenario. We got so many changes first period, we don't score. Then it's boom, boom 2-0 and we do nothing and we couldn't find back of the net. We just have to be better with our scoring chances early and win the game earlier than rely on skill later.
All the San Jose losses was the difference:
We don't play great against them. I think not just those games. I think we've got to play better against teams we should win(against). It's cost us our season.
Do you agree with Brayden Schenn saying you're closer than some think? If so, why?
In my opinion, yeah, we're closer because we've got great goaltending day in, day out and we show how we can play against good teams structured hockey and don't give up many chances, Grade A chances. Like I said, we've got great goaltending. We've got to fix our special teams problems (from) earlier this season and we will do better.
On possibly signing extension this summer, how do you handle that?
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 [Armstrong]. He say he going to talk to my representative in the summer and we'll see how it goes. I like it here. After Rangers trade here, kind of my hockey career change. 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.
What would determine if you sign an extension this summer?
A lot of things. 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.
