The year before, Buchnevich realized he wasn't ready, so he chose to play in the Kontinental Hockey League for another season. That's when he had career highs in goals (16), assists (21) and points (37) for Severstal Cherepovets and SKA St. Petersburg, and helped the latter advance to the Western Conference Finals with one goal and two assists in 14 playoff games.

It was during New York Rangers development camp June 28, 2016 when Pavel Buchnevich made it clear he was ready for the challenges that awaited him in his first season in North America.

It was during New York Rangers development camp June 28, 2016 when Pavel Buchnevich made it clear he was ready for the challenges that awaited him in his first season in North America.

The year before, Buchnevich realized he wasn't ready, so he chose to play in the Kontinental Hockey League for another season. That's when he had career highs in goals (16), assists (21) and points (37) for Severstal Cherepovets and SKA St. Petersburg, and helped the latter advance to the Western Conference Finals with one goal and two assists in 14 playoff games.

Buchnevich, chosen by the Rangers in the third round (No. 75) of the 2013 NHL Draft, agreed to terms with New York on a three-year, entry-level contract May 13, 2016, completing an international career that included two World Junior Championship tournaments and a silver medal with Russia in 2015.

He began his NHL career with a flourish by scoring 14 points in his first 14 games. Despite missing 27 games of his rookie season because of a back injury, Buchnevich finished with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 41 games.

He scored 21 goals in 2018-19, the first time in his NHL career he reached the 20-goal mark.