Detroit Red Wings
The Daily: Buchelnikov Thrives on Top Line; Datsyuk Leaves Them Laughing
Dimitri Buchelnikov might be replacing Axel Sandin Pellikka as the Red Wings European prospect grabbing all the headlines in 2025-26. With Sandin Pellikka playing for either Detroit or Grand Rapids, Buchelnikov now has center stage all to himself
Thus far, in the KHL preseason, Buchelnikov, 21, is shining in the spotlight.
Buchelnikov (52nd, 2022) posted two assists in CSKA‘s latest preseason game against the Gerard Gallant-coached Shanghai Dragons. Buchelnikov shows three goals, three assists and six points playing on the team’s top line.
Dimitri Buchelnikov(2nd round’22) with a beautiful between the legs pass for a chance off the post. Regroup carries the puck up the boards cycles it down low for another secondary assist🍏🍏 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/SQswFWWEcQ
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 30, 2025
The hope is that the smallish, skillful winger will be able to come to North America for the 2026-27 NHL season.
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
Pavel Datsyuk was on the winning team in his farewell game to Russian hockey. The exhibition game was called “The Magic Game.”
Ondrej Becher has had to earn every minute of ice time with the Grand Rapids Griffins. It’s made him a better player.
One of Patrick Kane’s season goals is to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the third time in his career. NHL players will be playing in the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
Red Wings Extra
His former Red Wings teammates said Pavel Datsyuk is glibber than people realize. He showed that Saturday in the press conference after his goodbye game in Russia. Check out below what he said when asked whether the Red Wings retire his number.
Pavel Datsyuk responded with humor to a question about whether @DetroitRedWings should retire his number. Earlier, the Red Wings permanently retired number 91 in honor of Sergei Fedorov.
“I think there aren’t many players in North America who want to take number 13 anyway.… pic.twitter.com/HzZkX0vV6u
— Daria Tuboltseva (@DariaTuboltseva) August 30, 2025
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