Even before the Rangers traded Anthony Duclair, many in the organization thought Russian winger Pavel Buchnevich was their top prospect. It was a matter of if and when he would get to North America.
That should happen in mid-June, as the Rangers signed Buchnevich, 21, to an entry-level contract (approximately $925,000 cap hit for three seasons) on Friday. According to reports, Buchnevich’s contract has a clause that would allow him to return to the KHL if the Rangers assign him to Hartford (AHL).
Buchnevich had relatively minor bursa sac surgery to his elbow at the end of the KHL playoffs, the recovery time expected to be about three weeks.