Michael Buchinger got a small taste of the NHL in the past, but he鈥檚 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.
鈥淭he decision making, (with) the first pass available, you鈥檝e got to move the puck quickly,鈥 Buchinger said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 overthink it and can鈥檛 panic, or it鈥檒l be a turnover.鈥
Buchinger played one exhibition in 2022 and two last year, impressing then-coach Craig Berube enough to earn an additional game despite Buchinger鈥檚 impending move back to junior hockey with Guelph of the OHL.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e playing against pro guys, veteran guys, guys who played pro for many years,鈥 Buchinger said. 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 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鈥檚 really helped over the last few years, and I鈥檓 really fortunate to have those opportunities.鈥
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Over the weekend, Buchinger was the team鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 goal Sunday against Minnesota.
鈥淗e can skate, and he can move the puck well,鈥 said Springfield coach Steve Konowalchuk, who coached the prospects over the weekend. 鈥淕ood compete.鈥
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.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been pretty offensive growing up,鈥 Buchinger said. 鈥淚 think it was a bit of a learning curve when turned junior to learn that defensive part of the game. I think I鈥檓 still trying to get better at that part of the game.鈥
In Springfield this season, Buchinger should play on the power play, though he鈥檒l likely have to battle with Samuel Johannesson to see which player will man the top unit.
鈥淚 think I鈥檝e put in a lot of work, and I鈥檓 confident in myself that I鈥檓 able to make that jump to pro now,鈥 Buchinger said. 鈥淚鈥檝e dreamt about it for my whole life now, so the fact that it鈥檚 here is very exciting and I think I鈥檓 ready.鈥
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鈥檚 draft.
鈥淵ou can see he鈥檚 smart, good puck mover, good positionally,鈥 Konowalchuk said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 got the size and reach. He鈥檚 a still young kid, frame-wise, but that鈥檚 going to fill out. Good potential there.鈥
Fischer is the son of former Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer, so when he attended development camp earlier this summer, it wasn鈥檛 his first time to one of them.
鈥淚 was around the rink a lot,鈥 Fischer said. 鈥淚 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鈥檛 care which one.鈥
Fischer will play for Sarnia in the OHL this season.
鈥淚 think I rely on my skating a lot,鈥 Fischer said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something that helped me get here and is going help me keep going up. I think that鈥檚 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鈥檒l see, maybe one day I鈥檒l be using it in the big leagues.鈥