The Red Wings have drafted Dmitri Buchelnikov with the 52nd overall pick.
? Dmitri! #DRWDraft pic.twitter.com/JUhT0KRIvL— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 8, 2022
At 52 overall, the #RedWings get Dmitri Buchelnikov— Ted Kulfan (@tkulfan) July 8, 2022
https://t.co/9TtnS7EBXY— Sarah Lindenau (@Lindy72) July 8, 2022
#RedWings at No. 52 take LW Dmitri Buchelnikov.— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) July 8, 2022
DMITRI BUCHELNIKOV GOAL HIGHLIGHTS https://t.co/BqNnUhVHqx via @YouTube— Sarah Lindenau (@Lindy72) July 8, 2022
At no. 52, Red Wings select F Dmitri Buchelnikov out of Russia.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) July 8, 2022
Red Wings pick at 52 is Dmitri Buchelnikov — a re-entry Forward out of SKA St. Petersburg who was one of the youngest players in last year’s draft. Popped for 75 points in 56 games this season with SKA— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) July 8, 2022
5-10, 163, shoot right. Had 41 goals, 34 assists in 56 games for SKA St. Petersburg junior team.— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) July 8, 2022
He’s a good skater and handling the puck, which helps him drive offensive transitions. His big issue is being 5’10”, and he’s still pretty light — he was even smaller last year. He may be a player with some of the most upside on this list, but him being Russian, smaller and— Sarah Lindenau (@Lindy72) July 8, 2022
https://t.co/ly5VqyiQA7— Sarah Lindenau (@Lindy72) July 8, 2022
https://t.co/CIKbBLyxEl— Sarah Lindenau (@Lindy72) July 8, 2022
Update: Here’s The Athletic’s Corey Pronman:
Analysis: Buchelnikov is a very skilled forward who can make creative dekes at a high rate and with decent pace. He has a good shot and is a threat from the perimeter He skates fine but isn’t a blazer for a 5-foot-10 guy. He has a chance to make it though, due to his talent level and scoring ability.
Russian winger was way down most public draft boards, partly due to his age (19 in September). Yzerman and his scouts taking a swing on offensive upside. Had 40 goals for his junior team this season: https://t.co/HR5RyadMPO https://t.co/0r3w4S5Dp8— John Niyo (@JohnNiyo) July 8, 2022
Check out these Buchelnikov higlights. Skill, skill, skill… https://t.co/I0G00OFpwW— Red Wings Prospects (@DRWProspects) July 8, 2022
He needs to get stronger on the puck battles and needs to work on his forecheck, but that’ll all come with age and strength. He could be a hidden gem in the 2022 NHL draft class if he commits to it and puts on some weight.— Sarah Lindenau (@Lindy72) July 8, 2022
https://t.co/zBkvywe0yQ— Sarah Lindenau (@Lindy72) July 8, 2022
Here is one of my draft sleepers – Dmitri Buchelnikov. Check out these highlights of his goal scoring – very high skill level. Passed over in last year’s draft.https://t.co/u7O1dX4GKl— Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) May 28, 2022
???https://t.co/Hi6oE03wfW— Kyle M. (@KyleWIIM) July 8, 2022
Update: NHL.com posted a Buchelnikov highlight clip:
Update #2: Detroit Hockey Now’s Nate Brown on Buchelnikov:
The 18-year-old winger has explosive speed and is even more dazzling when he has the puck. And the kid can score at a high clip. In the MHL this season, he recorded 75 points in 56 games with 41 of the points being goals. He was second in the league in scoring, and led the MHL in goals–with six less games than the points leader. He was also over a point-per-game in nine playoff games, registering 14 points (7-7).
With the high clip of scoring, it’s evident that Buchelnikov is ready for the KHL, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility Detroit brings him over to North America earlier, especially with some of the issues currently going on in Russia. To pump the brakes, however, the MHL isn’t exactly a high-echelon league. But there certainly are glimmers of excellent offensive abilities.
Though he’s played well in a junior league, the next step of development will be key. But it certainly seems like the Red Wings have the potential a strong scorer on their hands.
