TAMPA, Fla. — Pavel Buchnevich wasn’t smiling much recently. The Russian winger’s answers to questions after practice were often one word. But there was nothing lost in translation.
After all, the 22-year-old who started the season on the Rangers’ top line, which was broken up after producing just one even strength goals in seven games, had been relegated to the fourth line and his ice-time reduced. He had produced just three assists. He wore a disappointed scowl.
But coach Alain Vigneault, aware of Buchnevich’s quick release, accurate shot and the vision to find teammates with crisp passes, still kept him on the power-play and Buchnevich kept plugging.