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3 ways Pavel Buchnevich has become one of the Blues most important players this season

It's no secret that Pavel Buchnevich has been one of the biggest disappointments for the Blues organization in the past couple seasons. However, he has become one of the Blues best and most valuable players so far in the 2026-27…

By Isaac Hyman · Bleedin' Blue

Published: Monday, 2 November 2026 at 7:02 PM

Key Things to Know

Isaac Hyman argues Pavel Buchnevich has become one of the Blues' most important players this season through three key improvements.
Buchnevich has played 46.6 percent of the team's four-on-five penalty kill minutes without taking a penalty through 14 games.
Three of the Blues' top six forward lines by expected goals percentage feature Buchnevich under coach Jim Montgomery.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Writer Isaac Hyman highlights how St. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich has rebounded to become one of the team's most vital contributors through the first 14 games of the 2026-27 NHL season. Following criticism over his performance in recent years, Buchnevich has emerged as a key defensive presence, taking on significant penalty-kill minutes alongside Pius Suter without recording a penalty or committing frequent defensive turnovers.

Hyman also notes that Buchnevich remains productive across shifting line combinations deployed by coach Jim Montgomery. Additionally, Buchnevich has improved his finishing by scoring goals in two of the Blues' last five contests, leading Hyman to argue that fans should reevaluate past criticisms of the forward.

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3 ways Pavel Buchnevich has become one of the Blues most important players this season

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