Dynamo Moscow have announced the signing of the off-season: Pavel Buchnevich is coming home. Four years, contract value undisclosed, but club sources describe it as one of the largest deals in KHL history.
The Road Home
Buchnevich spent nine seasons in the NHL — first with the Rangers, then St. Louis. Last season he posted 72 points in 76 games, but the Blues opted not to extend him, choosing to build around younger players. The forward hit the market at the hottest moment of the transfer window.
Several NHL clubs expressed interest, as did Avangard and CSKA. But Dynamo moved fast: a meeting with his agent, two days of talks, a signature.
"I Missed My Kind of Hockey"
At a press conference at Novogorsk, Buchnevich was candid: "Nine years overseas — enormous experience. But I always knew I'd come back. I want to win the Gagarin Cup. Here. With this club." Head coach Alexei Kudashov added: "Pavel is a top-six player at world level. He immediately upgrades us on the power play and at five-on-five."
KHL Transfer Window in Full Swing
The league is moving quickly: Lokomotiv signed defenseman Ritter from Colorado, while SKA are finalizing talks with two Scandinavian forwards. The KHL 2026/27 schedule is already published — the season opens September 3rd. Dynamo start at home against Jokerit.
For Buchnevich, this is the beginning of a new — and perhaps the most important — chapter of his career.
