A year ago Gordie Clark, the Rangers Director of Player Personnel, was convinced that Pavel Buchnevich, the organization's elite Russian prospect, was ready to come to North America and compete for an NHL job. Buchnevich, though, believed he needed more seasoning and maturing before making such a move, and decided to remain home and play another season in the KHL.
Now, however, both Buchnevich and Clark are on the same page; and the highly-skilled 21 year-old is confident that he can be a New York Ranger in 2016-17.
"If I weren't sure I wouldn't come here," Buchnevich quickly replied through an interpreter when asked Tuesday is he felt confident that he would be able to play in the NHL this upcoming season.