The New York Rangers are getting closer to putting 2013 draft pick Pavel Buchnevich to his first North American contract, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Buchnevich was a 3rd round pick (75th overall) for the Rangers, who has spent time playing in the KHL over the last four seasons. Putting him to contract would be important for a New York team that is notably thin on prospects and has had very few high draft picks in recent years.
The 21-year-old forward scored 16 goals and 37 points split between Severstal Cherepovets and SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL this season.
There have been questions about whether or not the Russian is interested in leaving the KHL and playing in North America in the past. Particularly because he has expressed that he’s not interested in spending time in the AHL.
He’s a fast skater with good offensive instincts and could prove to be a good pick for the Rangers. In the 2014-15 season he led all KHL players 20 or younger in points with 30.
