Buchnevich bemoans slow start: 'I'm just awful all season'
St. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich didn't cut himself any slack when assessing his performance in the early goings of the 2023-24 campaign.
"I'm just awful. I'm just awful all season. I don't know what to say," he told NHL.com's Lou Korac following his team's 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. "Guys create chances for me, but I can't finish. I don't know. Hopefully, one (will) go in.
"I just have to play better and help the team. Now I don't create anything, doesn't really help the team. Got to find a way."
Buchnevich has one goal and three assists in nine games this campaign. His one tally came on the power play - the Blues' sole goal on the man advantage in 2023-24 - on Oct. 24 against the Jets.
The Russian winger almost got his second goal of the season Tuesday but was denied by Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo, who made a sliding stop in the crease with netminder Connor Hellebuyck down-and-out on the play.
SAVED BY DYLAN DEMELO!!!!
- NHL (@NHL) November 8, 2023
Yes, you read that right! pic.twitter.com/ZOUbBrH8ob
In 2022-23, Buchnevich ranked second on the Blues with 26 goals and 67 points while averaging just under two shots per game. This season, he's averaging over two shots per contest but has been handcuffed by a career-worst 5.3 shooting percentage.
"I try to be positive, but it's hard to be positive when you play like that," Buchnevich continued. "Different expectation from me. I try to work hard, try helping, but it's not enough right now. I've got to be better."
Buchnevich is in his third season in St. Louis. The Blues acquired him as a restricted free agent from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Sammy Blais and a 2022 second-round pick during the 2021 offseason.
In each of his first two campaigns with the Blues, Buchnevich averaged over a point per game. He's signed for one more year after this one with a cap hit of $5.8 million.
Tuesday's loss dropped the Blues to 5-5-1. Next up for St. Louis is a clash against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday.
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