Michael Buchinger got a small taste of the NHL in the past, but he’s hoping for much more this season.
The 20-year-old defenseman prospect has played in three preseason games since the Blues drafted him in the third round in 2022 but will turn pro this season with an eye on being impactful with AHL affiliate Springfield (Massachusetts). But first, there were some lessons to learn from previous training camps.
“The decision making, (with) the first pass available, you’ve got to move the puck quickly,†Buchinger said. “You can’t overthink it and can’t panic, or it’ll be a turnover.â€
Buchinger played one exhibition in 2022 and two last year, impressing then-coach Craig Berube enough to earn an additional game despite Buchinger’s impending move back to junior hockey with Guelph of the OHL.
“You’re playing against pro guys, veteran guys, guys who played pro for many years,†Buchinger said. “I think that’s a great learning curve to learn from guys who have so much experience and playing against guys that have so much experience. I think it’s really helped over the last few years, and I’m really fortunate to have those opportunities.â€
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Over the weekend, Buchinger was the team’s top option on the back end during the two-game Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, as he played on the No. 1 pairing with Quinton Burns and manned the point on the No. 1 power-play unit.
During Friday night’s 4-3 overtime win against the Blackhawks, Buchinger scored a goal, cutting to the middle on the rush after receiving a drop pass from Dylan Peterson. Buchinger picked up an assist on Zack Bolduc’s goal Sunday against Minnesota.
“He can skate, and he can move the puck well,†said Springfield coach Steve Konowalchuk, who coached the prospects over the weekend. “Good compete.â€
In the past, Buchinger has drawn comparisons (from assistant general manager Tim Taylor) to former Blues defenseman Vince Dunn, another smaller, offensive-minded but feisty defenseman.
“I’ve always been pretty offensive growing up,†Buchinger said. “I think it was a bit of a learning curve when turned junior to learn that defensive part of the game. I think I’m still trying to get better at that part of the game.â€
In Springfield this season, Buchinger should play on the power play, though he’ll likely have to battle with Samuel Johannesson to see which player will man the top unit.
“I think I’ve put in a lot of work, and I’m confident in myself that I’m able to make that jump to pro now,†Buchinger said. “I’ve dreamt about it for my whole life now, so the fact that it’s here is very exciting and I think I’m ready.â€
Fischer hits ice for Blues
The youngest player on the ice during the showcase was wearing a Blue Note, as defenseman Lukas Fischer just turned 18 years old four days before the Blues faced the Blackhawks. Fischer had a goal against Chicago, but one of his turnovers became a Wild goal on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues drafted Fischer in the second round of this summer’s draft.
“You can see he’s smart, good puck mover, good positionally,†Konowalchuk said. “He’s got the size and reach. He’s a still young kid, frame-wise, but that’s going to fill out. Good potential there.â€
Fischer is the son of former Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer, so when he attended development camp earlier this summer, it wasn’t his first time to one of them.
“I was around the rink a lot,†Fischer said. “I spent in the Wings locker room. I spent a lot of time filling up Gatorades and getting guys towels at development camps. To actually be here now is pretty surreal. ... It was my favorite thing to do as a little kid. I just loved being around the rink, didn’t care which one.â€
Fischer will play for Sarnia in the OHL this season.
“I think I rely on my skating a lot,†Fischer said. “That’s something that helped me get here and is going help me keep going up. I think that’s something that I try to work on more and more every summer, just get a little bit better at it, a little bit stronger. We’ll see, maybe one day I’ll be using it in the big leagues.â€