Suggested Trade Sends Blues’ Pavel Buchnevich to the Red Wings

A few days ago, I took a look at the possible line combinations for the St. Louis Blues for this coming season. I made the lines based on how the roster currently looked. However, I explained that in a perfect world, the Blues would trade Pavel Buchnevich to create consistent playing time for Otto Stenberg.

Well, today, let’s take a look at a possible Buchnevich trade. He would be an asset to a team looking to become a playoff contender, such as the Detroit Red Wings. I would like to thank Red Wings writer Tony Wolak for helping me write this article. Tony provided input from the Red Wings’ side that helped construct a realistic trade for both sides.

Red Wings Need a Goal Scorer

Buchnevich may no longer be the 60-plus point player he was just a few seasons ago. However, he still manages to score 20 goals. He maintains a physical presence on the ice and is a mainstay on the penalty kill.

The Red Wings are in need of someone for their top two lines to complement Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat. Captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade and could be on the move. Furthermore, Patrick Kane may not be returning. Even with the Viktor Arvidsson signing, the Red Wings will want to add another 20-goal scorer to their top-six. Buchnevich fits that description.

Blues’ Asking Price

If the Blues trade Buchnevich, it is because they want to shed some additional cap and create an opening for Stenberg. However, he is still a 20-goal scorer who plays on both ends of the ice. The Blues are not going to just give him away.

The Blues could benefit from adding another defensive prospect. They did draft three defensemen, but this would be an opportunity to add another. Nikita Tyurin is who the Blues should ask for. He moves the puck well at both ends of the ice. Defensively, he will disrupt passing lanes and close the gap on opponents off the rush. Offensively, he will not force the puck and let plays develop. He has a lot of upside, and it would be interesting to see how he develops in the Blues’ system.

The Blues should also ask for a draft pick in return. The Red Wings will likely not want to part with their 2027 first-round pick, especially after trading one to the Blues in the Justin Faulk trade. They do not have a second-round pick, so the next best thing is their third-round pick. This would give the Blues two third-round picks in the 2027 Draft. As we saw last month, the Blues can acquire needed players with third-round picks. It is not as enticing as a first-rounder, but it can be useful.

Red Wings’ Ask

Acquiring Buchnevich would help fill a needed top-six role, but he is under contract through 2031 with an $8 million cap hit. Since he is no longer a 60-point player and is 31, the Red Wings may have some reservations about taking on his full salary.

As such, they will ask the Blues to retain 25% of Buchnevich’s salary. The Blues will still be responsible for $2 million until 2031, and with the rising cap, it will not be a problem for them to make it work. For the Red Wings, they are shaving a little more off their own cap hit.

Full Trade

• Red Wings acquire:
  • Buchnevich (Blues retain 25% of his salary)
• Blues acquire:
  • Tyurin
  • 2027 third-round pick

Final Thoughts

Both teams benefit from this trade. The Blues create playing time for Stenberg while the Red Wings add another player to their top-six.

Even if this particular trade does not happen, it will be interesting to see what the Blues decide to do with Buchnevich and what the Red Wings decide to do to bolster their top-six.