NIKOLAI KOVALENKO NEWS

Finds back of net Friday Kovalenko scored his third goal of the season Friday in a 5-2 loss to Washington.

Impact Kovalenko got on the board with an even-strength tally in the second period, but that was the last of Colorado's offensive output for the night. The 25-year-old added two shots, two hits, and a plus-2 rating in a team-low 6:31 of ice time. The 2018 sixth-round pick is slotting on the fourth line, and he's up to three goals, four assists and a minus-4 rating through 18 contests.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Summoned from AHL Colorado Kovalenko was recalled from AHL Colorado on Friday,

Impact Kovalenko was sent down Thursday in what was a paper move as the Avalanche are up against the cap. The 25-year-old has two goals and six points in 17 NHL games this season. He will likely be a bottom-six forward as the Avs are expected to get top-six forwards Jonathan Drouin (upper body) and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) back in the lineup Friday.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sent to minors Kovalenko was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Thursday.

Impact Kovalenko's return to the minors might just be a paper move for salary cap reasons because the Avalanche's next game isn't until Friday versus Washington. Consequently, it would not be surprising if there's another update in about 24 hours saying that he's been recalled. There is a bit of an x-factor here with Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) set to be activated Friday, but Chris Wagner was put on waivers Thursday, so it might be Wagner rather than Kovalenko being sent to the minors for the long run to make room for Nichushkin. The 25-year-old Kovalenko has two goals and six points in 17 appearances with the Avalanche in 2024-25.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

One of each in win Kovalenko scored a power-play goal and added an assist in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Impact Kovalenko earned his second multi-point effort of the year, securing that with his goal late in the third period. The 25-year-old continues to fill a middle-six role as the Avalanche navigate choppy waters on the injury front. Kovalenko is up to two goals, four assists, 13 shots on net, 22 hits and a minus-5 rating over 13 appearances. His pair of points Tuesday snapped a three-game dry spell.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Called up from minors Kovalenko was elevated from AHL Colorado on Monday.

Impact Kovalenko continues to move between levels despite having played in 12 games for the Avs this season. In those outings, the 25-year-old winger has registered one goal on 12 shots, three assists and 22 hits while averaging 13:41 of ice time. Until the team gets fully healthy, which may take a while given all their injuries, Kovalenko could find himself the odd man out -- though he has plenty of time to cement himself as a full-time NHL option.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to AHL Kovalenko was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Saturday.

Impact This is likely a paper move unless the Avalanche are getting a forward back before Tuesday's game versus the Kraken. Kovalenko saw his point drought reach three games after he was limited to one hit and no other fantasy-relevant stats over 12:25 of ice time Saturday in a 5-2 loss to the Predators.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to AHL Kovalenko was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Saturday.

Impact This is likely a paper move unless the Avalanche are getting a forward back before Tuesday's game versus the Kraken. Kovalenko saw his point drought reach three games after he was limited to one hit and no other fantasy-relevant stats over 12:25 of ice time Saturday in a 5-2 loss to the Predators.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Gets first career goal Kovalenko scored a goal and added two hits in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Senators.

Impact Kovalenko is starting to get comfortable in the NHL -- all four of his points have come over the last five games. The 25-year-old winger opened the scoring Sunday at 19:52 of the first period with his first career goal. He's added 11 shots on net, 19 hits and a minus-2 rating through nine appearances while filling a middle-six role.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Offers pair of helpers Kovalenko recorded two assists and three hits in Thursday's 5-1 win over Utah.

Impact This was Kovalenko's first multi-point effort at the NHL level. The 25-year-old has picked up three assists, 10 shots on net, 17 hits and a minus-3 rating over eight contests this season. Kovalenko continues to play on the second line at even strength, though he's topped 15 minutes of ice time in just one game so far.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Secures first NHL point Kovalenko notched an assist, three shots on goal and two hits in Friday's 4-3 overtime win over the Ducks.

Impact Kovalenko earned his first NHL point by setting up Casey Mittelstadt's second-period tally. Through five appearances, Kovalenko has added nine shots on net, 14 hits and a minus-3 rating. The 25-year-old winger is playing in a middle-six role and on the second power-play unit, but fantasy managers will want to see him put up an extended stretch of offense before picking him up.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to NHL club Kovalenko was recalled by the Avalanche on Wednesday.

Impact Kovalenko was sent to the AHL on Tuesday, but he'll rejoin the injury-plagued Avalanche ahead of Wednesday's game against Boston. Over his first three NHL appearances of the season, he's tallied eight hits and two blocked shots while averaging 14:06 of ice time.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Headed back to minors Kovalenko was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Tuesday.

Impact This marks Kovalenko's third demotion in October, a trend that figures to continue as long as the Avs are trying to save some cap space. Fantasy players can likely expect the winger to be back on the NHL roster ahead of Wednesday's matchup with the Bruins.

OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Back in bigs Kovalenko was recalled from AHL Colorado on Friday.

Impact Kovalenko played in Wednesday's season opener versus Vegas and was sent down to the Eagles on Thursday for salary cap reasons. He saw 14:57 of ice time, with two shots on goal and one hit. Look for Kovalenko to see third line minutes versus Columbus on Saturday, alongside Ross Colton and Logan O'Connor.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Returned to minors Kovalenko was sent down to AHL Colorado on Thursday.

Impact Kovalenko made his NHL debut against the Golden Knights on Thursday, registering two shots, one hit and a minus-1 rating in 14:57 of ice time. With the Avs hard up against the cap, don't be surprised to see the 24-year-old winger frequently shifting between levels in what amount to paper transaction. As such, Kovalenko figures to be called back up ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Blue Jackets.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Called up Tuesday Kovalenko was recalled from AHL Colorado on Tuesday.

Impact Kovalenko was assigned to AHL Colorado on Monday, but he's back with the big club ahead of Wednesday's season opener against the Golden Knights. The 24-year-old will likely begin the season as the Avalanche's 13th forward. Kovalenko picked up three points in four games with AHL Colorado in 2023-24.

OCTOBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to AHL Kovalenko was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Monday.

Impact Kovalenko will head to the minors ahead of Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Golden Knights, but the move appears to be procedural, so he'll likely rejoin the Avalanche ahead of Opening Night. The 24-year-old logged 11 goals and 35 points over 42 appearances in the KHL last year.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Joining the Avs Kovalenko was recalled from AHL Colorado on Sunday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact Kovalenko is an intriguing prospect who tallied 11 goals and 35 points in 42 games in the KHL this season. He may be simply a depth option for now, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the 24-year-old winger deployed in a bottom-six role at some point in the postseason.

APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE

Clear to play Kovalenko (leg) will suit up for AHL Colorado in the team's game.

Impact Kovalenko was dealing with an injury when he was transferred from his KHL club to the Eagles in March. The 24-year-old winger, selected in the sixth round in 2018, is still likely to be a part-time NHLer at best in 2024-25.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Reassigned to AHL club Kovalenko was reassigned from the KHL's Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod to AHL Colorado on Tuesday. He is dealing with a leg injury sustained at the end of the KHL campaign, so it's unclea...

Impact Kovalenko had an injury-riddled campaign, as he also missed time with a wrist injury and an undisclosed injury. The winger still put up 35 points in 42 contests when healthy, showcasing his strong offense. He'll likely need to play in the AHL at least to begin 2024-25, assuming the leg injury heals appropriately by the fall.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup for KHL club Kovalenko (undisclosed) played 19:01 of ice time against Avtomobilist on Friday.

Impact Kovalenko has been limited to just 30 games this season in the KHL due to injury, registering nine goals and 20 assists along the way. The 24-year-old winger was selected by the Avs in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft. If continues to produce at that level, he could attempt to make the jump to North America next season.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Injured again Kovalenko (undisclosed) was a scratch from Tuesday's game in the KHL and will miss "at least two weeks," according to head coach Igor Larionov, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now re...

Impact Kovalenko had appeared in the team's previous game, including a stint on the final shift, and nothing appeared wrong. There are not many details other than Larionov making a point to emphasize the "at least" part of his statement, which suggests a potentially longer absence. Kovalenko had been expected to join the Avalanche following the KHL season, but that plan now appears in jeopardy.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Kovalenko (wrist) returned to action for Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact Kovalenko, who missed nearly six weeks, made an impact in his return. He scored two goals, assisted on another and delivered seven hits over 16:54 of ice time. As the Avalanche cope with depth production, Kovalenko looks like an answer if he joins the club at the tail end of the regular season.

NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returning soon Kovalenko (wrist) is expected to return to action for Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL on Nov. 2, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact Kovalenko's head coach, Igor Larionov, confirmed the news with a Russian News Outlet. Without Kovalenko, the Torpedo have gone 5-5-1, including four games without scoring a goal. The 24-year-old forward got off to a productive start this season, recording 13 points over 11 games, prior to getting injured.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Injured, no return date Kovalenko sustained a wrist injury and has missed seven games for his team in the KHL,

Impact Kovalenko was off to a stellar start for Nizhny Novgorod, compiling 13 points over 11 games before suffering the injury, His coach, Igor Larianov, provided an update, telling reporters that there is no timetable for a return. The coach added they they are in contact with doctors in North America, which suggests the Avalanche are aware of the situation. Colorado's plan for Kovalenko is to have him join the Avs after the KHL season finishes, but the injury may dictate a different course.

OCTOBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Big night in opener Kovalenko scored an even-strength goal and recorded a power-play assist in the season opener for Torpedo of the KHL, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact Kovalenko was named the team's captain and led Torpedo with 17:56 of ice time that included 23 shifts and work on the penalty-kill unit. He added seven hits and two takeaways. It's a strong start for Kovalenko, who is expected to play in Russia for the 2023-24 season but could join the Avalanche for the tail end of the NHL season.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE