The St. Louis Blues are staring down a familiar crossroads - one that’s becoming harder to ignore with each passing game.
The offense has sputtered, the core group looks more like a collection of fading memories than a competitive unit, and the front office has some tough decisions to make. At the center of that conversation?
Pavel Buchnevich.
Just a few months into the first year of a new contract extension, Buchnevich is falling well short of expectations. Through this stage of the season, he’s posted 25 points - a pace that would put him at just 41 by season’s end.
For a player carrying an $8 million AAV, that’s simply not getting the job done, especially when his primary role is to generate offense and bring some physical edge. Right now, he’s not doing much of either.
Let’s be clear - Buchnevich isn’t the only one underperforming. The Blues as a whole have struggled to find consistency on both ends of the ice.
The offense lacks bite, the defense has been shaky, and the goaltending tandem hasn’t been able to bail them out. But Buchnevich stands out because of what he’s supposed to be: a top-line contributor, a difference-maker, a guy who can tilt the ice.
Instead, he’s become emblematic of the team’s broader issues.
So, what’s next?
A trade feels like the logical step, and not just because of the numbers. Buchnevich still holds some value around the league.
He’s shown in the past - including early in his Blues tenure after arriving from the Rangers - that a change of scenery can spark his game. That narrative could be appealing to another front office looking to add a skilled winger with size and experience.
The challenge, of course, is the contract. Moving an $8 million cap hit isn’t easy, especially when the production doesn’t match the price tag.
But General Manager Doug Armstrong has navigated tricky waters before, and if there’s a deal to be made, he’ll find it.
The timing is also key. With the Olympic break looming, the Blues have a narrow window to reassess and recalibrate.
Are they retooling around a new core? Are they looking to stay competitive in the short term or play the long game?
Buchnevich’s future - or lack thereof - in St. Louis could be one of the first dominoes to fall in answering those questions.
For fans, moving on from Buchnevich might be bittersweet. When he arrived in 2021-22, he brought a burst of energy and offensive flair that gave the lineup a much-needed boost.
But that version of Buchnevich hasn’t been around lately, and the Blues can’t afford to keep waiting for it to return. If they’re serious about reshaping this roster, this might be one of the easier - and more necessary - moves to make.
Bottom line: the Pavel Buchnevich era in St. Louis may be nearing its end. And if the Blues want to get back to being a contender, it might be time to turn the page.