His style is similar to malkin but just doesn't have the bulk.
Naah, why compare him to Malkin? Zucc is like Malkin too but 11 inches shorter and slower.
What does Buchnevich have? I would like to point out the following abilities:
-He is a very smart and systematic scoring winger. He takes part of the play with the puck all over the ice, he is at the right place giving his linemates an option to pass with, he knows what to do with the puck when he gets it, and hence his unit is often good at getting up the ice. Once in the attacking zone he is really good at taking part of working a defense so to speak. He finds open ice, he knows what to do with the puck when he gets it, and he plays with a purpose and is really good at seing plays 2-3 steps ahead. Often taking parts of give and go's while his line gets close to the net. Rarely any ineffective plays, illadvised stick-handling moves, shots etc. Simple smart and effective offensive hockey.
In this sense he reminds me a lot of Loui Eriksson. Loui had 36 goals in a season and three 70+ pts seasons in 4 years for Dallas. But he have never been a
very talented hockey player. Several times I've experienced Loui joining the Swedish WCH's team "as the big star". And the reaction has always been the same, "
Loui is going to be the big leader [fast forward 2.5 hrs till after the first game] ...
Loui Eriksson was certainly a dissapointment he looked very mediocre is he tired after flying from NA to Europe? [fast forward to after the tournament] ...
Loui managed to grow into his role somewhat, what really has impressed me is just how focused he is and how much he pays attention to details". I've seen him since he was 17 y/o, he has never been more talented than a Lauri Korpikoski in terms of skating, shooting, stickhandling etc.
Pavel Buchnevich will not woe people with his skating or slapper or whatever, either. He isn't that talented. Don't expect someone to come in flying like Maxim Afinegenov II. Or someone dazzling with the puck like Zherdev but with a purpose. But I -- love -- his offensive smarts and how focused he is with the puck and in his offensive game. Get up ice, get the puck to the net, get up ice, get the puck to the net, get up ice, get the puck to the net.
-Pavel Buchnevich is strong at protecteing the puck in Europe and was strong at it at the WJCs. But please remember that this is -- by far -- the one area were the NHL seperates it self from Europe and junior hockey.
In Europe and in juniors, Ds are a lot weaker physically AND you have a significant problem with "checking from behind", in the sense that forwards are able to take advantage of the ban of it by turning their backs to the ice to "protect" themselves from getting hit. A big mean D comes at you? Perfect just turn your back against him and he will get yanked if he is hit you (and hence Ds have started to not hit players from behind). In the NHL, you are planted against the walls and stripped of the puck unles you shoulder to shoulder can over power the D.
I don't know if this is the reason people compare Buchnevich to Malkin? But I can promise that Buch not will be a monster around the boards anytime soon in the NHL. He could become strong on the puck in general, but its going to take some time and a lot of work.
-Buch has flashy stick handle moves in him, and he is going to pull off a move here and there over the course of a season in the NHL too. But like I already said, he isn't going to be Zherdev II. Its just too tough for him to play that style and its not effective for him even at lower levels.
But he is a very functional player and if backed into a corner he has a good shot at doing something extra to find a option to keep the puck in play so to speak.
Overall I think he compares best to a Loui Eriksson for those who knows him well. Its that type of player he can become. 30+ goals or 70pts is best case scenario which is awsome, just great, but its not going to come from him putting on a clinic or like even being our version of a Zach Parise or someone like that. Its going to come from him being very dilligent on the ice and focused and effective and smart. I think its much closer to compare him to a Kucherov than a Malkin or AO or even Tarasenko.
