Red Wings selection Buchelnikov has no desire to leave SKA

Dmitry Buchelnikov, the selection of Detroit Red Wings, could not be more clear. he doesn’t want to leave SKA.

SKA St. Petersburg, the KHL’s league leader, recently caused a bit of a stir in the hockey world when promising teenage forward Matvey Michkov was loaned to KHL rival Sochi.

Expectations are that Michkov will be a high lottery pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. But on SKA’s loaded roster, he just wasn’t getting any ice time.

#LGRW: prospect Dmitry Buchelnikov with a tasty apple in the bronze medal match of the 3-on-3 tournament. #ChannelOneCup pic.twitter.com/MC6hsNh43f

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) December 16, 2022

Buchelnikov, the 53rd overall pick by the Red Wings in the 2022 draft, faces similar issues. Playing only 10 games for SKA, he shows the numbers 1-1-2. However, he has expressed no desire to move elsewhere to collect more ice time.

Buchelnikov has no desire to move

“I haven’t thought about it,” Buchelnikov told Sport-Express.ru about the possibility of going elsewhere on loan. “I always wanted to join SKA. That’s why I joined the club three years ago. All my thoughts are only about SKA.”

Buchelnikov spent most of the season with SKA-Neva St. Petersburg of the Russian Second Division VHL. Here he is posting stellar numbers of 11-9-20 in 18 games. But he only has eyes for SKA.

“I’m living a dream about it,” Buchelnikov said. “But now I try to make the most of every day. Of course, I would like to return to the KHL as soon as possible. I will be very happy about this.”

Seeing action in his first KHL games was an opportunity for Buchelnikov, who recently signed a contract to stay with SKA until 2025. However, his ultimate goal is to become a regular player in the Russian top league.

“The debut in the KHL is a pleasant event,” Buchelnikov said. “Like debuting in the VHL. I’m so happy about it, but I can’t stop.

“After this break, we need to gather more and move forward. I have to prove that I can perform at a high level.”