The Detroit Red Wings may have an unexpected offensive weapon at their disposal come next season in Russian superstar, Dmitri Buchelnikov. The sky-high offensive ability of Buchelnikov has been reported on throughout the last handful of years as he challenged Kirill Kaprizov’s point totals in the KHL most recently, however, the dreams and hopes of an NHL debut have turned much more tangible for Red Wings fans.
There seems to be an impending shakeup overseas in the KHL with Buchelnikov’s current club hanging in limbo. Vityaz could very well be removed from the league, leaving all its players without a team to play for, thus making Buchelnikov a free agent and unbound by the last year of his KHL contract. If this were to come to fruition, it seems more likely than not that the player with the highest upside in Detroit’s system will make his way across the pond to bring his talents to the NHL.
Per Artur Khairullin, #LGRW prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov may leave for Detroit if Vityaz is removed from the KHL.
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) June 3, 2025
In that case, the player will become an unrestricted free agent in the KHL.
Of course, merely making the trip to Detroit with intent to play in the NHL does not guarantee a spot on the roster, but he would absolutely get every opportunity in training camp to prove that he deserves the spot.
Even with the phenomenal numbers that he had last season, it is a lot to ask a player who is not acclimated to the smaller North American ice to replicatem his success, even if he got the chance to play alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on the top line.
But long term? That could absolutely be his future on the team. He would fill a hole on the wing that this team is sorely lacking, as well as the need of a bonafide scorer.
On his instagram, pictures were posted of him in attendance at a Dallas Stars game, presumably in the first round of the playoffs vs Colorado. If he was, or still is stateside, I would imagine that there has been contact with someone within the Red Wings front office or scouting department to get an understanding as to what he may be expecting this summer.
Buchelnikov has made it clear in past interviews that he wants to play in the NHL and will be willing to take any path necessary to fulfill his dream, even if that means making a stop in Grand Rapids.
“I’m ready for everything, for any challenges,” Buchelnikov told reporters. “It’s not a problem for me (if) I’ll have to play for the farm club. That’s how it should be.”
No forward in the Red Wings pipeline has the offensive talent or upside as Buchelnikov holds.
You have to appreciate the 21-year-old’s dedication and understanding of how the business typically works, regardless of one’s resume. During last season, he spent most of the season playing on a line with an American, Derek Barach, whom he leaned on in helping hone his English.
With what we can only hope is a nice head start in what will certainly be a culture shock to Dmitri, he looks poised and determined to make his presence known when he arrives on Detroit ice.
More from Octopus Thrower