One of the New York Rangers top prospects has finally put ink to paper. The team announced an entry-level contract for Russian forward Pavel Buchnevich on Friday. He was drafted in the 3rd round (75th overall) in the 2013 draft.
General Fanager reports that it’s a three-year deal with $832,500 in annual salary and a $92,500 signing bonus. It also includes a Euro assignment clause, and no performance bonuses.
Buchnevich has previously expressed that he has little interest in playing in the AHL, so it’s not surprising to learn that he’ll most likely find his way straight into the NHL.
Last season the 21-year-old split time in the KHL between Severstal Cherepovets and SKA St. Petersburg, where he was traded late in the year. He put up 16 goals and 37 points through 58 games, hitting career-high marks in games played, goals, assists, points, game-winners (3), and power play goals (4).
It’s a big signing for the Rangers, who have traded away an incredible number of draft picks in recent seasons as they pushed for a Cup in “win now” mode. The Rangers haven’t had a 1st round draft pick since drafting Brady Skjei 28th overall in 2012. The last time they had a top 10 pick was Dylan McIlrath at 10th overall in 2010.
