3 reasons the Sabres must trade for Pavel Buchnevich

Buchnevich has been a 25-plus goal scorer for three seasons

Regardless of whether the 2024-25 Sabres score the way they did in 2022-23 or if they more closely resemble the 2023-24 group, Pavel Buchnevich would immediately upgrade the unit. Should this team play like they did in 2022-23, adding a player of Buchnevich’s scoring caliber will let the Blue and Gold close in on 300 goals. 

But as a 25-plus goal scorer in each of his previous three seasons, Buchnevich would at least get the Sabres near the 270-goal range in a worst-case scenario, which would put them in the top 10 if we’re comparing them to teams this past regular season. You can even argue Buchnevich had a ‘down’ season in 2023-24 despite putting up 27 goals since he wasn’t entirely consistent in finding the net, or at least by his own standards. 

Buchnevich’s shooting percentage clocked in at just 13.0, and it was one of the lowest marks of his career. Still, 27 goals are 27 goals, and despite the lower conversion rate, it shows us that Buchnevich isn’t afraid to take shots. 

At times, the Sabres hesitancy led them to pass the puck around instead of taking the open shot, and it’s one reason their Corsi For at 5-on-5 sat in the back half of the league. Someone like Buchnevich coming to town would mean there’s a player in Buffalo who won’t hesitate to take an open shot. Just for the record, he finished the year with 207 shots on goal.