Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich to have hearing with DoPS Tuesday

As was expected following the incident last night, St. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich will have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety after headbutting Arizona Coyotes forward Lawson Crouse. Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest was the first to report it, although it's now been confirmed by Player Safety.

Pavel Buchnevich to have hearing with Dept of player safety later today. #stlblues— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) October 19, 2021

The incident occurred near the end of the first period in Monday night's game between St. Louis and Arizona. Buchnevich and Crouse were going at it after the whistle, a linesman tried to get in between the two, and as he attempted to break up a potential fight, the Russian forward leaned in and headbutted Crouse. Buchnevich then received a match penalty for headbutting. Any match penalty is automatically subject to review by the NHL and its Department of Player Safety.




The Cherepovets, Russia native scored his first goal with the Blues earlier in the first period. Buchnevich was traded from the New York Rangers in July in exchange for Sammy Blais and a second round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.