Dec 31, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) before the game against Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin Downgraded to Week-to-Week Due to Injury

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin faces an extended absence as he recovers from an injury, now listed as week-to-week.

Dec 31, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) before the game against Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Avalanche star forward Valeri Nichushkin is now deemed week-to-week following a second setback in his recovery from a lower-body injury, according to head coach Jared Bednar on Altitude Sports Radio on Wednesday (via Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette).

Nichushkin last participated in a game on December 31 against the Jets, exiting midway through the second period. Bednar remarked later that week he anticipated Nichushkin would be sidelined for seven to ten days.

“Anytime without Val is worrisome. And now we don’t have a solid timeline on his return.”

Jared Bednar with some insight on the Valeri Nichushkin setback. pic.twitter.com/fFmXjnzGcQ
— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) January 22, 2025

He informed reporters early last week that Nichushkin wouldn’t return in that timeframe and had a long road ahead in his recovery following a setback, but he changed his stance a few days later. The 29-year-old trained during the weekend but has not skated since, resulting in today’s update.

The Colorado team has had Nichushkin available for just 21 out of their 48 games. He was absent for the initial 17 matches of the season due to the conclusion of his automatic six-month suspension imposed by the NHL after being placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program during the Avs’ second-round defeat against the Stars.

Also Read: Edmonton Oilers Eyeing Potential Defenseman Addition for Roster Depth

When on the ice this season, Nichushkin has been a highly impactful top-six player. He has scored 11 goals and provided six assists for a total of 17 points over 21 games, which translates to 0.81 points per game, a decrease from last year’s career-best 0.98, yet remains fifth on the team.

In the 2024-25 season, the Avalanche hold a 14-7-0 record with Nichushkin in the lineup, while they have a 14-12-1 record when he is absent. However, his status as one of the league’s top two-way wingers has not been upheld in his limited play sample. His 51.2 CF% at even strength aligns closely with the team’s average, indicating that he’s maintained performance, but he hasn’t significantly enhanced the team’s puck possession.

Nichushkin, whose contract extends through 2030 with a $6.125MM cap hit, is still on the active roster. Nonetheless, he can be placed on injured reserve retroactively at any time to create a roster spot if needed.

Although Colorado’s forward group is in better health than it has been for much of the season, they are still missing bottom-six energy winger Miles Wood, who has been out since late November due to an upper-body injury. Captain Gabriel Landeskog continues to be out of action because of several right knee surgeries that have prevented him from playing since the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory but has recently participated more often in morning skates.

Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Valeri Nichushkin

Anamika Shrivastava

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