The Edmonton Oilers are closely monitoring the St. Louis Blues as the NHL’s March 8th trade deadline approaches. Notably, they have shown interest in star winger Pavel Buchnevich, according to a report by Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal earlier this week. This signifies the first indication of the Oilers’ interest in the 28-year-old, who has had an impressive season with 22 goals and 46 points in 54 games for the Blues. Buchnevich, coming off a hat trick against the New York Islanders, is poised to achieve a career-high in goals this season.
Reportedly, the Oilers are eyeing Buchnevich as a potential addition to their second-line right-wing position. His contract, which extends through this year and the next at $5.8 million annually, presents an attractive prospect for Oilers GM Ken Holland, as it offers more than a short-term rental option, akin to the acquisition of Mattias Ekholm at the previous trade deadline.
However, there may be challenges regarding salary cap implications, necessitating either a player going out or the Blues absorbing a portion of Buchnevich’s contract in exchange for multiple assets. The trade package for Buchnevich could resemble the structure of the Ekholm deal, which involved the Oilers trading a first-round and a fourth-round pick in 2023, along with 2022 first-round pick Reid Schaefer, to acquire Ekholm while offloading Tyson Barrie’s contract to Nashville.
The reported asking price for Buchnevich, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, aligns with a similar framework, possibly involving two first-round picks or an equivalent package. While the Oilers primarily seek depth scoring rather than bolstering their top-six forwards, Buchnevich would undoubtedly enhance the team’s depth and overall performance. Buchnevich’s impact on the ice has been substantial, as evidenced by statistics indicating strong possession metrics and goal differentials when he’s on the ice. Additionally, he contributes significantly in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game, with notable proficiency in penalty killing duties, averaging 1 minute and 44 seconds per game shorthanded.
