Detroit Red Wings prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov wasted no time at all in establishing a presence with his new KHL club. Playing his first game of the preseason for CSKA Moscow, the newly-acquired winger registered the opening goal of the game.

According to the KHL website, Buchelnikov potted the opening goal midway through the first period, assisted by another new signing, Vladislav Yeryomenko. Buchelnikov scored on former NHL goalie Zach Fucale. However, that successful counter-attack was also a reflection of the fact that much of the game was played in CSKA territory.

Dimitri Buchelnikov(2nd round’22) scores 🚨 the first goal of CSKA preseason. Catches Minsk in a bad change rips it. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/w3Far3QMA9

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 19, 2025

While it was a great start for the player Detroit selected 52nd overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft, his team didn’t end up faring so well. Dinamo Minsk rallied for a 4-1 victory over CSKA Moscow.

Buchelnikov was traded to the famous Russian army team during the offseason. His previous club Vityaz folded in the summer. During his KHL tenure, he’s been well-traveled. Buchelnikov has also played for Admiral and SKA St. Petersburg.

Yzerman Hopeful Buchelnikov Will Soon Be Part Of Red Wings Organization

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was expressing optimism earlier this summer that they will be able to get Buchelnikov, 21, playing in North America for the 2025-26 season, if not later this season when his European season comes to an end.

“He has another year on his (KHL) contract,” Yzerman said. “He was playing (for Vityaz). Their team folded.

With all the Sergei Fedorov talk, here is the CSKA Supervisory Board member checking out Dimitri Buchelnikov(2nd round’22) at practice the other day. #LGRW #retire91 pic.twitter.com/9fhIDHOcc5

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 19, 2025

“His contract was sold to CSKA, the Red Army team in Moscow. He’s under contract with them for another season. As far as we know, he’s playing for CSKA this year. And our hope would be that he comes over next year, but we can’t guarantee that.

“It’ll really be his decision on what he wants to do. But he’s a very nice young man, and a very good, talented young player, and we’re hopeful that we can get him over here at some point, sooner than later.”