13 Valeri Nichushkin RW

Nichushkin had two hits and was plus-1 over 12:48 of ice time in Friday's 8-0 win over St. Louis.

Nichushkin made noise in 2019-20 with 13 goals, 14 assists and an 11.5 shooting percentage while posting a plus-26 over 65 games. His expected goals-for was tops among the team's regulars, and the third-line winger hinted at becoming a scoring depth option for the top-heavy Avalanche. Thus far through two games, the 25-year-old Nichushkin has not attempted a shot, and the third line has combined for one of Colorado's nine goals.

Nichushkin signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Avalanche on Saturday, Adrian Dater of ColoradoHockeyNow.com reports.

Nichushkin is an analytics darling, as he put together a whopping 59.03 xGF% last season. The gifted two-way player spent most of his time in the bottom six last season shutting down opponents' top units, but Nichushkin still managed to produce 13 goals and 14 assists through 65 games. The 25-year-old will handle a steady role during the upcoming campaign, but his fantasy outlook isn't as favorable unless he boosts to the top six.

Nichushkin produced an assist, three shots on goal and three hits in Monday's 6-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

Nichushkin began the playoffs with 11 straight scoreless outings, but he's put up two goals and an assist in his last two games. That jump in production corresponds with his move to the second line to cover for an injured Joonas Donskoi (undisclosed). Nichushkin has added 46 hits and 16 shots through 13 appearances. He put up 13 goals and 27 points in 65 regular-season contests.

Nichushkin had 13 goals and 27 points with a plus-26 rating in 65 games prior to the NHL suspending the season in March.

This has been Nichushkin's best season since his rookie campaign in 2013-14, but he slowed down a bit since the middle of February. Nichushkin had two goals and four points with an even rating and 28 shots on goal in the 15 games prior to the stoppage. It'll be interesting to see if, after the time away, Nichushkin can return to his early season form when (or if) the 2019-20 campaign resumes.

Nichushkin scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Canucks.

Nichushkin's second-period tally tied the game at three, but the Canucks took the lead soon after and never looked back. The Russian winger has 29 points (13 scores, 14 helpers), 105 shots and 79 hits through 62 appearances this year.

Nichushkin recorded an assist and two shots on goal in Monday's 2-1 win over the Red Wings.

Nichushkin had the secondary helper on Vladislav Namestnikov's first-period goal. The assist snapped a five-game point drought for Nichushkin, who is up to 26 points and 102 shots in 60 contests. The Russian winger also earned his 100th point of his career Monday, a mark he achieved in 283 appearances.

Nichushkin recorded an assist and three shots on goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Islanders.

Nichushkin had the secondary helper on Joonas Donskoi's goal in the first period. In February, Nichushkin has four tallies, four helpers and a plus-8 rating through 10 games. The Russian winger is up to 25 points, 92 shots, 69 hits and a plus-27 rating in 54 contests overall.

Nichushkin scored a goal and dished a team-high five hits in Monday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning.

Nichushkin's third-period tally tied the game at three and ultimately forced overtime. The Russian winger is up to 12 goals, 24 points, 68 hits and 89 shots on goal through 53 games this season.

Nichushkin potted a power-play goal in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Senators.

Nichushkin provided a big insurance tally at 10:26 of the third period, capitalizing on the Avalanche's fifth power play of the contest. The 24-year-old is up to 11 goals, 23 points, 85 shots and a plus-26 rating through 50 games this season. He's capable of putting up solid depth scoring from a third-line role.

Nichushkin had a goal, two assists and a plus-4 rating in Tuesday's 6-1 win over Buffalo.

Until Tuesday, Nichushkin hadn't found the scoresheet three times in a single game this season. Now with 21 points in 2019-20, these types of nights certainly aren't the norm for Nichushkin, but his owners will take them whenever they come. Surprisingly, Colorado did not have one power play in this one.

Nichushkin has one goal and three points with a plus-7 rating in the last eight games.

That exceptional rating lately has raised his plus/minus for the season to plus-19. The 24-year-old has been very solid, posting eight goals and 17 points in 44 games, but his 10.7 shooting percentage is more than 3.0 percent higher than normal. After 11 days away from the rink, it will also be interesting to see if Nichushkin can continue the hot streak he had going before the All-Star break when the Avalanche play again Saturday.

Nichushkin scored a goal in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Sharks.

Nichushkin made an impact on his first shift, tallying 45 seconds into the game. The Russian is up to eight goals and 17 points in 42 games this season. He's added 72 shots on goal, 50 hits and a plus-16 rating in a middle-six role.

Nichushkin (illness) registered a shot and a hit in 14:02 during Monday's 1-0 loss to the Islanders.

Like the rest of the Avalanche, Nichushkin wasn't able to get on the scoresheet. He missed one game due to the illness, but he should continue to see third-line minutes going forward. The Russian has 15 points and a plus-14 rating through 38 appearances this season.

Nichushkin (illness) will be back in action versus the Islanders on Monday, Marc Moser of Altitude Sports 950 reports.

Nichushkin missed Saturday's matchup with New Jersey due to his illness but appears ready to slot back into the lineup, likely in a bottom-six role. Prior to falling ill, the Russian notched five points in his previous six outings while averaging 13:28 of ice time. Vladislav Kamenev will be the odd man out among the forwards.

Nichushkin (illness) will miss Saturday's road game in New Jersey, Mike Chambers of The Denver Post reports.

Don't expect Nichushkin to be out long, as this is simply a case of an illness that should run its course, leaving the Avs forward able to play Monday in Long Island. In the meantime, Vladislav Kamenev will replace Nichushkin in Colorado's lineup.

Nichushkin had an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Blues.

Nichushkin had the secondary assist on Nazem Kadri's third-period tally. The 24-year-old Russian has 15 points and 67 shots through 37 games this year. He can help fantasy owners in deeper formats thanks to a little physicality (44 hits, 12 PIM).

Nichushkin scored a goal, added an assist and had a fighting major in Monday's 7-3 win over the Golden Knights.

Nichushkin set up the second of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare's goals in the game. The winger then scored an insurance tally of his own to close the scoring in the third period. With his second-period fight with Deryk Engelland, Nichushkin picked up a Gordie Howe hat trick. The Russian had three shots on goal, two hits and a plus-2 rating to round out a productive stat line. He's up to 13 points, a plus-13 rating and 64 shots on goal in 33 outings.

Nichushkin notched an assist, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Blackhawks.

Nichushkin set up Matt Calvert's second tally of the game in the final minus of the second period. The Russian winger has four goals and two helpers through 10 games in December. For the season, the 24-year-old sits at 11 points, 61 shots on goal and 39 hits in 32 games. He's already exceeded his offensive production from last year, when he had 10 helpers and no goals in 57 outings with the Stars.

Nichushkin has six goals and nine points with a plus-6 rating in the last 15 games.

The 24-year-old ended a 14-game pointless streak with an assist Nov. 19, and since then, he's been very solid. He has six goals in the last 15 contests after zero in the first 16 games of the season. The contrasting 15-game stretches has balanced his shooting percentage out to 10.3 percent. Nichushkin has six goals and 10 points with a plus-9 rating in 31 contests this season.

Nichushkin scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Flames.

After a slow start to the year, Nichushkin has tallied all five of his goals in the last eight games. He's up to eight points, a plus-8 rating and 51 shots on goal through 26 contests this season.