The Detroit Red Wings, a National Hockey League team, have a proud legacy of success, largely due to outstanding Russian-born players. They were famously home to the “Russian Five,” several of whom are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, alongside the legendary Pavel Datsyuk, who spent 14 seasons with the team. The Red Wings are now hopeful that forward Dmitri Buchelnikov, selected 52nd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, will become one of their next great Russian talents.
Buchelnikov, who is set to play the 2025-26 season with CSKA Moskva in the KHL, recently disclosed to Nadezhda Tonkonog of Sport24 that he maintains regular communication with Detroit’s Russian scout Nikolai Vakurov and the organization. “We talked about it probably two months ago,” Buchelnikov said, noting that their conversations extend beyond hockey to life in general.
He also shared the excitement he felt when speaking to Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, who witnessed many of Detroit’s great Russian players in action. “My knees were almost shaking when I spoke to such legends,” Buchelnikov admitted, referencing the famous “Russian Five” documentary, though he clarified his experience was only through television until now.
While Buchelnikov has signed for another season with CSKA Moskva, he is eager to eventually move to North America to pursue his professional career in Detroit’s development system. “It depends on how I perform,” he said. “If I reach that level, can compete, and win, I’ll definitely consider it. But for now, I’m in Russia on a one-year contract.”
Last season, Buchelnikov played for HC Vityaz Podolsk before transferring to CSKA Moskva, finishing with 15 goals and 39 assists in 65 games during 2024-25.
Notably, other young Russian players like Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers) and Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens) have already transitioned from the KHL to the NHL, making a significant impact on their teams.
Fan Take: This news is exciting for hockey fans because it highlights the ongoing influx of talented Russian players into the NHL, potentially elevating the level of competition and bringing a fresh wave of skill to the league. Buchelnikov’s journey is a testament to the global nature of the sport and could inspire more young talents to pursue professional careers abroad, enriching the game for all.
