Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Nets lone goal in loss
Rotowire
Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.
The goal was Nichushkin's first point of the series. He's added eight shots on net, six hits and a plus-1 rating over three contests. Nichushkin is locked in as a top-six winger, though his minutes could be threatened if Gabriel Landeskog can get up to full speed during the playoffs, assuming the Avalanche can turn things around after falling behind 2-1 in the series Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Playing Saturday
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) will be in the lineup versus Dallas on Saturday, per Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports.
Nichushkin sat out last Sunday's 4-2 win over Anaheim but had plenty of time to recover. He had 21 goals and 34 points in just 43 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. Nichushkin will occupy a top-six spot and could see time on the first power-play unit versus the Stars.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Not playing Sunday
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) will not be in the lineup Sunday in Anaheim, according to Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.
Nichushkin will conclude the regular season having generated 21 goals and 34 points over 43 appearances. The left-shot winger's status ahead of the postseason is now unclear, but he has multiple days to try to get as healthy as possible. The Avalanche have a first-round series against the Stars on tap, with Game 1 potentially taking place April 19.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Three points in last three games
Rotowire
Nichushkin had a goal and an assist in a 5-4 loss to the Kings on Saturday.
Nichuskin has three points, including two goals, across his last three games. Overall, he has 34 points, including 21 goals, and 118 shots in 43 games this season. Nichuskin makes a huge impact when he's on the ice, but he hasn't really skated a full season -- other than the COVID-shortened year -- since 2015-16. You know what you'll get; deploy accordingly.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Lights lamp on power play
Rotowire
Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on four shots and added two hits in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Golden Knights.
Nichushkin ended a six-game goal drought, a span in which he had just one assist, when he scored midway through the second period. The winger's offense has faltered even as his opportunities are on the rise amid a wave of injuries to forwards. He's still impressed this season with 20 goals, 12 assists, eight power-play points, 116 shots on net, 51 hits and a plus-10 rating in 41 appearances.
Nichushkin logged an assist, four shots on goal and two PIM in Wednesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Blackhawks.
Nichushkin had struggled in recent games, posting zero points and 12 shots on net over his last three games. He was moved back to the second line to begin Wednesday's game, but he was called on for more usage when Jonathan Drouin (lower body) left the contest early. Nichushkin helped out on a goal by Cale Makar in the third period. Nichushkin is now at 31 points, 105 shots on net, 43 hits, 20 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 38 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Nets lone goal in loss
Rotowire
Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on four shots and added two hits in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs.
Nichushkin tied the game at 1-1 on a feed from Nathan MacKinnon early in the second period. This was Nichushkin's third game in a row with a goal, and he has earned four points, nine shots and six hits in that span. The 30-year-old winger is up to 18 goals, nine helpers, five power-play points, 82 shots, 32 hits and a plus-10 rating over 31 appearances in 2024-25.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Posts two points in win
Rotowire
Nichushkin scored a goal, registered an assist and tallied four shots on net in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win against the Stars.
Both of Nichushkin's points came in the second period and were the only two goals scored by either team. He found the back of the net against his former squad over six minutes into the period before tallying a secondary assist on linemate Jonathan Drouin's goal. The 30-year-old Nichushkin is up to 17 goals, nine assists and 79 shots on net across 30 outings this season. Nichushkin has been a good option offensively for Colorado since his return from a lower-body injury as he's posted nine points in his last nine games. Between his role in Colorado's top six and heavy usage on the power play, Nichushkin is a strong late-season add in all fantasy formats. At his current pace, he should contend for the 35-40-point mark by the end of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Pots empty-netter
Rotowire
Nichushkin scored an empty-net goal on two shots and added two hits in Friday's 4-2 win over the Flames.
Nichushkin helped the Avalanche fend off a late comeback attempt by the Flames. The goal was his first since he had a hat trick last Saturday versus the Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old winger is up to 16 goals, 24 points, 75 shots on net, 28 hits and a plus-10 rating over 29 appearances this season, mainly in a second-line role.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: First regular-season hat trick
Rotowire
Nichushkin had three goals and an assist in a 7-4 win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday.
It was Nichuskin's first career regular-season hattie. He has been red hot when he's been on the ice this season, putting up 15 goals on 70 shots, eight assists and 26 hits in just 26 games. Nichushkin has been impactful in five games since his return from injury, compiling four goals, two assists and 18 shots.
Nichushkin notched a power-play assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Penguins.
Nichushkin has two points over three games, both on the power play, since returning from a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old winger is up to 12 goals, seven helpers, four power-play points, 64 shots on net, 22 hits and a plus-7 rating through 24 outings. He's in a top-six role and seeing steady power-play time, so Nichushkin is a player fantasy managers can turn to for a boost on offense down the stretch.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Scores on power play in win
Rotowire
Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on five shots in Friday's 5-2 win over the Wild.
This was Nichushkin's second game back from missing 21 contests due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old winger has resumed a role on the second line and second power-play unit. Nichushkin has 12 goals, 18 points, 62 shots on net, 20 hits and a plus-6 rating across 23 appearances. If he can stay healthy, he's a big boost to an Avalanche offense that has often lacked in depth scoring, and he could play his way onto the top line eventually.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Ready to return
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) will be activated off injured reserve and play Wednesday versus New Jersey, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
It will be Nichushkin's first game since Dec. 31. He has 11 goals and 17 points in 21 appearances in 2024-25. Nichushkin might serve in a top-six capacity Wednesday, which could in turn reduce Juuso Parssinen's role.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Nearing return to action
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) could be an option against the Devils on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Head coach Jared Bednar wouldn't confirm Nichushkin's return to the lineup, but it appears the winger is trending in the right direction. For now, Nichushkin remains on injured reserve and will need to be activated before he can hit the ice. Once given the all-clear, Nichushkin should be in the mix for a spot in the Avs' top six.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Back at practice
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) returned to practice Thursday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Nichushkin practiced for 15 minutes, participating in line rushes before stopping when contact drills began, but he still worked on his own afterward. Nichushkin has missed the last 19 games and is doubtful for Colorado's back-to-back set this weekend. He has 11 goals and 17 points over 21 games this season.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Moves to IR
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) was put on injured reserve Monday.
Colorado activated Oliver Kylington (upper body) from the IR list in a corresponding move. Nichushkin has missed the last 16 games, but he could be ready to return after the 4 Nations Face-Off when Colorado visits Nashville on Feb. 22. The 29-year-old forward has 11 goals, 17 points, 52 shots on net, 10 blocked shots and 18 hits across 21 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Should return after 4 Nations
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) should be able to draw back into the lineup immediately after the 4 Nations Face-Off, which would put his projected return date as Feb. 22, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports Thursday.
Nichushkin was already expected to miss Colorado's final five games before the tournament, but it seems that will be the end of the time he'll miss due to his lower-body issue. Nichushkin has 11 goals and 17 points in 21 appearances in 2024-25. The 29-year-old should serve in a top-six role once he's healthy.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Likely out through 4 Nations
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) is expected to be out of action through the 4 Nations Face-Off, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Nichushkin has already missed 14 games due to his lower-body issue and will now be on the shelf for at least five more matchups. If the Avalanche need to bring in another forward, the 29-year-old winger would be a candidate for long-term injured reserve considering he has already missed significant time. When healthy, Nichushkin has offered decent offensive upside with 17 points in 21 appearances, including 11 goals.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Nearing return to lineup
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) participated in Sunday's practice and is inching toward being ready to return to the lineup, according to Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports.
Nichushkin was a full participant in Sunday's session but left the ice early, indicating he still has some work to do before getting clearance to play. He will likely miss his 10th straight game when Colorado hosts Minnesota on Monday. Nichushkin has 11 goals, 17 points, 52 shots on net, 10 blocked shots and 18 hits across 21 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Still not ready to return
Rotowire
Nichushkin (lower body) is not expected back any time soon with head coach Jared Bednar telling reporters Monday the winger "probably has some distance to go," per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Nichushkin has already missed six games due to his lower-body injury but seems no closer to getting back into the lineup. Given his recovery timeline, it seems likely the 29-year-old Russian will be designated for injured reserve sooner rather than later.
