Red Wings Legend Talks About Top Prospect

Though he’s no longer coaching the team, Detroit Red Wings legend Sergei Fedorov serves on the board with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. That means he gets a daily opportunity to eyeball an exciting part of the Red Wings’ future – forward Dmitri Buchelnikov.

And Fedorov likes what he sees in the player Detroit made the 52nd overall selection in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

“Yeah, he’s a goal scorer, definitely,” Fedorov told Detroit Hockey Now in a telephone interview from Moscow. “He’s one of those. He can make a play, too. Make a couple of passes.

“So offensively, really no problem. He will get his probably 20, 30 goals here, I hope, because he plays power play almost every game (and gets) three, four chances.”

Dimitri Buchelnikov(2nd round’22)
GOAL🚨
Drag and shoot between the defenders legs.. back bar. #LGRW #BuchSZN pic.twitter.com/J3ewcQckNN

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 12, 2025

Buchelnikov is currently third in scoring on CSKA Moscow with 5-4-9 totals in 14 games.

For the majority of Red Wings followers, the only exposure they get to Buchelnikov is via highlights or live streaming of games. That even includes the brass of the Red Wings.

Seeing him on the ice in person daily, Fedorov can offer a much more detailed perspective on Buchelnikov’s overall game. As is often the case with younger players, in Buchelnikov, 22, he sees a player still learning the intricacies of playing the game without the puck.

“The hockey we play, it’s men’s hockey,” Fedorov said. “It’s responsible hockey.”

At 5-foot-10 and 169 pounds, Buchelnikov also has some filling out to do physically.

“He’s not thin, but he’s certainly not very tall,” Fedorov said. “Yeah, he’s a small forward.”

Fedorov Likes What He Sees From Red Wings Pick

Buchelnikov is playing the last year of his KHL contract. Expectations are that he’ll be signing with the Red Wings in time to come ot North America next season, if not late this season.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov liked a comment that said LGRW on his latest instagram post 👀

I still strongly believe he will be coming after this season. #lgrw pic.twitter.com/RABMWEL3mN

— Haskey (@HaskeyHighlight) October 14, 2025

Fedorov is certain that Red Wings fans will like what they see when Buchelnikov arrives.

“Nicest guy ever,” Fedorov said. “Very talented.

“He’s one of the top six here. Most of the time, they start the game with their line.“