As the St. Louis Blues continue sorting out their prospect pipeline, Dmitri Buchelnikov lands at No. 8 in the organization’s top 10. The Russian winger brings skill, but his stock dipped after a quieter season in the KHL, and he’s set to spend another year overseas before any move to North America.
Buchelnikov’s 2025-26 campaign with CSKA Moscow was interrupted by an injury rehab stint, limiting him to 44 games. He finished with 14 goals and 25 points. That followed a much stronger 2024-25 season, when he posted 15 goals and 54 points in 65 games and led Vityaz Moscow Region in scoring.
The 22-year-old, who turns 23 on Sept. 3, signed a one-year extension in March and is expected to play a second, likely final season with CSKA Moscow. He also made the trip to St. Louis for the Blues’ development camp, where he made clear that reaching the NHL is a childhood dream.
Size remains part of the conversation. Buchelnikov is listed at 5-foot-10 and 163 pounds, and while the height isn’t a major issue, the weight is.
If he can add strength to his frame, the Blues could view him as a late-season option who can step right into the lineup. If not, he may need time with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL first.
The Blues are hoping to get the 2022 second-round pick, taken 52nd overall, to North America as soon as possible, with the goal of having him arrive by the end of the 2026-27 season.