Insider reveals price for Oilers to acquire Pavel Buchnevich in developing blockbuster trade

PUBLICATION

Liam McCormick
February 23, 2024 (5:59 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Heading into this season, the Edmonton Oilers are believed to be primarily targeting an addition to the forward group and doubling down on their great team offence. According to recent reports from several sources, the Oilers are targeting a trade for Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich.

Jim Matheson believes the Edmonton Oilers have been scouting, and are interested in St. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich. Matheson believes the asking price for Buchnevich would be about the same as what the Oilers paid to bring in Mattias Ekholm last season.

Using the Ekholm trade as the barometer for the price, the Edmonton Oilers could certainly meet the demands of the Blues with a package prospect Raphael Lavoie, Warren Foegele, and two first round picks.

There's a reason Buchnevich would command such an heavy return in a trade, he's simply the best player available at the deadline, and he has term on his affordable contract. The 28 year old Russian forward has 384 points in 491 career games, and can play an elite two way game with some physicality. He's having another incredible season this year with 22 goals and 46 points in 54 games. Best of all, he's signed to just $5.8M for this season and next year, meaning this wouldn't be a pure rental.

Adding Buchnevich not just for this year's playoffs, but also next years warrants the higher price in trade. This kind of trade would have the same kind of impact to the team as adding Mattias Ekholm did, a high impact player than can slot everyone down in the lineup, even making the bottom-six stronger. The Oilers really need to consider making this push to acquire Buchnevich - it would be the home run of the deadline.