VALERI NICHUSHKIN NEWS

Nearing return to lineup 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 Sportss.

Impact 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.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Still not ready to return 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 th...

Impact 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.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Injured Avs goalie Scott Wedgewood estimated week-to-week after play that drew Jared Bednar's wrath

Jared Bednar received some clarity from the league on why a whistle wasn’t blown to stop a play with his goaltender Scott Wedgewood hurt and down on the ice

JANUARY 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Toews scores in overtime, Avalanche overcome 3-goal deficit to beat Sabres 6-5

Devon Toews scored 48 seconds into overtime and the Colorado Avalanche overcame a three-goal deficit to beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-5 on Thursday night and extend their winning strea...

JANUARY 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin listed as day-to-day with lower-body injury

The Colorado Avalanche will be without forward Valeri Nichushkin for an indefinite amount of time due to a lower-body injury

JANUARY 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Facing 7-10 day absence Nichushkin (lower body) is expected to be sidelined for 7-10 days according to head coach Jared Bednar, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports Thursday.

Impact Nichushkin had been previously ruled out versus Buffalo on Thursday but it seems his absence will be a little longer. With the Avs in a busy part of their schedule, the 29-year-old winger could be out of action for the next five games even on the shorter side of his recovery timeline. Mikko Rantanen will likely be moved up to a first-line role while Juuso Parssinen or Joel Kiviranta could get a look at the top six.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out against Sabres Nichushkin (lower body) will not be an option versus the Sabres on Thursday but remains day-to-day, Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey reports.

Impact Nichushkin has been riding a five-game point streak prior to Tuesday's clash with Winnipeg. Since returning from his suspension, the 29-year-old winger has been performing well with 11 goals and six helpers, including two power-play points, in 21 outings. With Nichushkin on the shelf, Mikko Rantanen will likely move up to the first line, though Jonathan Drouin could be an option as well.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains lower-body injury Nichushkin exited Tuesday's game versus the Jets in the second period due to a lower-body injury and won't return, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Impact Nichushkin logged three shots on net and a plus-1 rating in 11:54 of ice time before suffering the injury. If he can't play Thursday versus the Sabres, the Avalanche will likely need to call up another forward. Mikko Rantanen would probably return to the top line to cover Nichushkin's potential absence.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Sends assist in win Nichushkin notched an assist, three shots on goal, two hits, two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 4-1 win over Utah.

Impact Nichushkin couldn't extend his goal streak, but he's still earned a point in five straight contests (four goals, two assists). The winger set up the second of Artturi Lehkonen's three goals in the game. Nichushkin is up to 11 tallies, six helpers, 49 shots on net, 18 hits and a plus-5 rating over 20 appearances in 2024-25 and should remain a steady source of offense in a top-six role.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Keeps scoring Sunday Nichushkin scored a goal on four shots in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Kraken.

Impact Nichushkin scored for the fourth game in a row, offering a quick response to tie the game just 11 seconds after Kaapo Kakko gave the Kraken a lead. The 29-year-old Nichushkin is up to 11 tallies, 16 points, 46 shots on net, 16 hits and a plus-2 rating over 19 contests. The winger continues to thrive on the top line and should be rostered in virtually all fantasy formats given his spot in a strong offense.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kiviranta records hat trick, MacKinnon notches 2 assists as Avalanche beat Kraken 5-2

Joel Kiviranta scored three goals, including twice into an empty net, Nathan MacKinnon notched his third straight two-assist game and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken...

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goal, assist in Friday's win Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and went plus-2 in Friday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.

Impact Nichushkin has scored in three straight games. The 29-year-old winger's strong play has allowed head coach Jared Bednar to spread out the Avalanche's top talent across two lines. Nichushkin has 10 goals, five assists, 42 shots on net, 15 hits and a plus-2 rating through 18 appearances. He's typically been a strong fantasy option when available over the last three seasons, and that's especially true when he's on the top line as he is now.

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makar, Avalanche continue special teams success in 4-2 win over Ducks

Cale Makar had a power-play goal and an assist, Parker Kelly scored short-handed and the Colorado Avalanche capitalized on special teams to get a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Strikes for power-play goal Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on five shots, blocked three shots and added two PIM in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.

Impact Nichushkin has scored in back-to-back contests for the third time this season. The 29-year-old opened the scoring at 3:40 of the first period. He's up to nine goals (two on the power play), four assists, 39 shots on net, 14 hits and an even plus-minus rating over 17 appearances. Nichushkin was on the top line Thursday after playing the bulk of his time on the second line, though any spot in the Avalanche's top six should be enough for him to stay productive.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kiviranta scores twice in 3rd, Blackwood gets win over former team as Avalanche beat Sharks 4-2

Joel Kiviranta scored twice in the third period, Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves against his former team and the Colorado Avalanche beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lights lamp Monday Nichushkin scored a goal in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Canucks.

Impact Nichushkin recently went on a four-game point streak between Dec. 5 and Dec. 10, notching four goals and one assist in that span, and he found twine again Monday to score Colorado's lone goal of the contest. The Russian winger is up to eight goals and 12 points across 16 outings this season, and he should continue to find ample opportunities to produce due to his top-six role in the lineup, as well as being a member of the first power-play unit.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kiefer Sherwood has 1st NHL hat trick as Canucks beat Avalanche 3-1

Kiefer Sherwood had his first NHL hat trick and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-1

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On four-game point streak Nichushkin scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Penguins.

Impact Nichushkin has four goals and one assist during his four-game point streak. For the season, the winger has seven tallies, 11 points, 26 shots on net, eight hits and a plus-3 rating over 13 appearances. Nichushkin has fit right in on the second line, and he should be on most fantasy rosters as long as he's scoring at such an impressive rate.

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rantanen records hat trick in 600th game and adds two assists as the Avalanche drill Pittsburgh 6-2

Mikko Rantanen collected his 10th career hat trick and added two assists as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nabs helper in Sunday's win Nichushkin had an assist and went plus-3 in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Devils.

Impact Nichushkin has three goals and an assist over his last three games. The 29-year-old winger helped out on Ross Colton's first-period marker, and those two seem players being healthy and productive seem to have helped lift Casey Mittelstadt out of a funk. Nichushkin is at 10 points, 24 shots on net and a plus-2 rating over 12 appearances this season, picking up where he left off after posting 53 points in 54 regular-season outings a year ago.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Another goal Saturday Nichushkin scored a goal in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Red Wings.

Impact Nichushkin has been one of the Avalanche's best players in recent weeks, and he's been deadly in front of goal with five goals over his last six appearances. The 29-year-old Russian winger has been limited to just 11 contests so far in 2024-25, but he's making the most of his time on the ice with nine points (six goals, three assists) in that span.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Devils and Avalanche hit the ice in non-conference matchup

The New Jersey Devils and the Colorado Avalanche take the ice in a non-conference matchup

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nichushkin, Georgiev lead Avalanche to 2-1 win over slumping Red Wings

Valeri Nichushkin scored his third goal in two games, Alexandar Georgiev made 28 saves and the Colorado Avalanche beat the slumping Detroit Red Wings 2-1

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pots two tallies in loss Nichushkin scored two goals in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact Both goals came late in the third period as the Avs tried to rally from a 3-1 deficit, but each time Nichushkin found the back of the net, the Canes responded to re-establish a two-goal cushion. It's the first multi-goal performance of the season for the 29-year-old winger, and in 10 games since making his season debut in mid-November, Nichushkin has five goals and eight points.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche visit the Red Wings after Nichushkin's 2-goal game

The Colorado Avalanche visit the Detroit Red Wings after Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals in the Avalanche's 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS