The St. Louis Blues signed newly acquired forward Pavel Buchnevich to a four-year, $23.2 million contract, the team announced Tuesday.
The Blues traded a second-round pick and forward Sammy Blais to the New York Rangers for Buchnevich on Friday. The 26-year-old was set to hit restricted free agency.
A third-round pick by the Rangers in 2013, Buchnevich tallied a career-best 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists) in 54 games last season. He spent his first five NHL seasons with New York, totaling 195 points (79 goals, 116 assists).
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Evaluating the contract
Jeremy Rutherford, Blues senior writer: This is a very good contract for the Blues, and Buchnevich, but I'm going to focus on the team. They're getting a player who was almost a point-per-game last season for a moderate $5.8 million AAV.
And as a bonus, they've locked up the 26-year-old on a four-year term, so they'll have him for the prime of his career. The Blues are likely to lose Jaden Schwartz to Seattle, according to a source, and with the Buchnevich deal, they are getting a better offensive player for less than what Schwartz might sign for with the Kraken.
What are the Blues' next priorities?
Rutherford: The Blues' No. 1, 2 and 3 priorities continue to be trading Vladimir Tarasenko. Even though the club is making other transactions, general manager Doug Armstrong is working feverishly to move the disgruntled winger. But with the start of free agency looming on Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT, time is of the essence.
The Blues have about $13 million of cap space available after the Buchnevich signing, some of which is allocated for their other restricted free agents. Moving Tarasenko could free up his $7.5 million to acquire more help.
(Photo: Jared Silber / NHLI via Getty Images)
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