Detroit Red Wings prospect quickly emerging as a star-studded talent in Russia
Photo credit: NHL.com
A Detroit Red Wings Russian prospect who'll be able to come to North America this season is quickly emerging as a star-studded talent in the KHL.
Quickly emerging as a steal of the 2022 NHL draft in Montreal as the Detroit Red Wings acquired him in the second round.
The Detroit Red Wings drafted Dmitri Buchelnikov with the 52nd overall pick in 2022.
At the time, the player was coming off a 75-point season in the MHL, Russia's junior league, and went on to join the St. Petersburg SKA for a few games after his draft.
Since then, it hasn't been an easy journey for him in the KHL, playing for three different organizations in the past three seasons. Still, he managed to bring a steady production, tallying 83 points in the last two seasons.
This year, it wasn't an easy start for the Wings prospect.
He entered the final year of his KHL contract and, before last night, he had only one point after nine games-a disappointing turnout, especially for him.
The 22-year-old forward bounced back last night by scoring five points, including a hat trick.
Check out his three goals and two assists in the montage below:
After the game, his head coach Igor Nikitin opened up about the player's struggles and how confident he is that he will turn the situation around.
In his own words:
"Often, psychology and some external stimulus are more effective than a warm-up or preparation for a game.
Buchelnikov is a person like you or me. Psychology also weighed on him. We supported him, that's not even up for discussion.
Sometimes you explain to a young guy, based on your own experience, things that have already happened to other guys, and how to overcome them. Such situations should be used for growth.
We don't just hope; we are confident that Dmitry can turn this situation around; today was a clear example of that."
Buchelnikov is a person like you or me. Psychology also weighed on him. We supported him, that's not even up for discussion.
Sometimes you explain to a young guy, based on your own experience, things that have already happened to other guys, and how to overcome them. Such situations should be used for growth.
We don't just hope; we are confident that Dmitry can turn this situation around; today was a clear example of that."
Dmitri Buchelnikov will be able to join the Red Wings at the end of the season. Depending on how CSKA's season unfolds, he could join the team right before the start of the playoffs, as Ivan Demidov and Alexander Nikishin did with the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes last season.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 29 | 207 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings prospect quickly emerging as a star-studded talent in Russia Do you think Dmitri Buchelnikov will join the Detroit Red Wings at the end of the season? | ||
| Yes | 133 | 64.3 % |
| No | 74 | 35.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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