Buchnevich Could Become Trade Candidate for St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues were a busy team this offseason. Trading away Jordan Kyrou, acquiring and signing RFA Connor McMichael to a big six-year contract, and trading for Mason McTavish and Brandon Carlo were the most notable transactions. 

That doesn't mean that the shuffling of the roster won't continue further this coming season under new general manager Alex Steen. Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News asks if it's time for the Blues to consider trading the 31-year-old Russian forward after a couple of disappointing seasons.

Pavel Buchnevich, a trade once considered both a robbery and a major win for the St. Louis Blues, has seen his play falter year by year during an important stretch of his career. 

Buchnevich is only going into the second season of a six-year, $8 million AAV contract. Each of the last two years have seen him notch 20 goals, but those are his lowest totals in the last five seasons. 

"Buchnevich will have plenty of eyeballs watching him as he attempts to live up to his deal," wrote Gaudio.

And if he doesn't? A trade could be in the offing as St. Louis tries to enter a new, youth-centric era.  

Why Buchnevich could become a trade candidate this season

"If the trend continues and Buchnevich's game reaches a new low, GM Alexander Steen will have to weigh his options," Gaudio noted.

"The Blues and Buchnevich haven't entered must-trade territory, and the contract is not a total disaster, given that the salary cap continues to rise. Still, with several Blues prospects waiting to enter the NHL and play major roles, it's becoming a lot more challenging to feel comfortable with Buchnevich taking those minutes."

In a ten-year career, Buch has totaled 202 goals and 506 points in 674 NHL games, with a plus/minus rating of +53. But his 17:56 of average ice time per night last season was down over a minute from the year before, and two minutes from the season before that. 

He'll be worth keeping an eye on this season in St. Louis.