VALERI NICHUSHKIN NEWS

Nets late power-play goal Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on four shots and added two PIM in Monday's 5-1 win over the Kraken.

Impact Nichushkin got a piece of a Cale Makar shot to net the Avalanche's last goal Monday. With three points over his last four contests, Nichushkin is starting to find a groove. He's up to three goals, six helpers, 33 shots on net, 13 hits, 10 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 14 contests. His goal Monday was his first power-play contribution of the year after earning 16 of his 47 points with the man advantage last season.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies Thursday Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Kraken.

Impact Nichushkin was initially questionable for this game after he and his wife welcomed a daughter Wednesday, but the winger was able to play. His goal tied the game at 3-3 in the third period, but the Avalanche weren't able to get to overtime. Nichushkin had gone eight games without a goal. He's at two tallies, six assists, 25 shots on net, 10 hits, eight PIM and a plus-3 rating through 12 contests. If Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) misses time, Nichushkin would be the logical choice to fill in on the top line.

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to rock Nichushkin (personal) will play Thursday versus the Kraken, Meghan Angley of DNVR Avalanche reports.

Impact Nichushkin missed Wednesday's practice to be with his wife for the birth of their daughter, but he'll slot into his usual role skating on the second line and second power-play unit against Seattle. He's picked up one goal and seven points through 11 contests this campaign.

NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice for good reason Nichushkin did not practice Wednesday, because he was with his wife for the birth of their daughter, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact It's assumed Nichushkin will be back in time for Thursday's game against Seattle. The forward rebounded from a tough night Saturday (minus-4) with an assist and was a heavy forechecker during Tuesday's win over the Devils. Nichushkin has one goal (an empty netter), six assists and 22 shots on goal through 11 games.

NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns shorthanded helper Nichushkin posted a shorthanded assist, two shots on goal, two hits and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Devils.

Impact Nichushkin set up Miles Wood's goal in the second period. The helper snapped a four-game point drought for Nichushkin, who went minus-6 with six shots on net and five hits in that span. The 28-year-old winger is up to seven points, 22 shots on net, 10 hits, six PIM and a plus-1 rating through 11 appearances, primarily playing in a second-line role this season. His reduced role both at even strength and on the power play has likely played a part in his modest scoring contributions.

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up two assists Nichushkin picked up two assists and four shots, helping the Avalanche to a 7-4 win over the Islanders on Tuesday.

Impact Nichushkin picked up helpers on goals by Bowen Byram and Nathan MacKinnon. He also recorded four shots and a plus-1 rating on the evening. The Russian forward is currently on a five-game point streak with six points in that span. He should continue to play on the top line and second power-play unit moving forward.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Riding four-game point streak Nichushkin recorded an assist in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Hurricanes.

Impact Nichushkin has a point in four straight games (one goal, three assists), accounting for all of his offense this season. He helped out on Nathan MacKinnon's second-period marker, which was the game-winner Saturday. Nichushkin has added three hits, 11 shots on goal, four PIM and a plus-4 rating while seeing steady playing time in the top six.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Provides helper in win Nichushkin recorded an assist and three shots on goal in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Blackhawks.

Impact After a one-game stint on the first line, Nichushkin returned to the second line Thursday. The 28-year-old set up Devon Toews' second-period tally. Nichushkin has points in three straight games (one goal, two assists), accounting for all of his offense this season. He's added 11 shots on net, four PIM, three hits and a plus-3 rating through four contests.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deposits empty-netter Nichushkin scored an empty-net goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Kraken.

Impact Nichushkin was heavily involved in the buildup to the Avalanche's first goal, but he wasn't credited with an assist. He would get on the scoresheet with the empty-netter, which was his second point in three games. The winger has found other ways to contribute with eight shots on net, four PIM, three hits and a plus-2 rating. As long as he's in a top-six role, he should remains a productive complementary source of offense for the Avalanche.

OCTOBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up assist Nichushkin notched an assist, three shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Saturday's 2-1 shootout win over the Sharks.

Impact Nichushkin set up Cale Makar on the Avalanche's only goal in regulation. Through two contests, Nichushkin has worked on the second line, playing to mixed results. He has one assist, five shots on goal, three hits, four PIM and an even plus-minus rating so far. He's also on the second power-play unit, which may limit his chances to be a bigger contributor in the Avalanche's strong offense.

OCTOBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes preseason debut Nichushkin had one shot, one hit and two-minute minor penalty over 19:35 of ice time in Tuesday's 3-1 preseason loss to Dallas.

Impact Nichushkin made his preseason debut Tuesday. He should see ample TOI as a top-six forward that plays all three zones. Nichushkin, if healthy, can give Colorado depth scoring it needs to take pressure off Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

OCTOBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Meets media at training camp Nichushkin addressed the media after Colorado's first day of training camp Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Impact This was the first time Nichushkin was available for the media, but the Russian forward did not say much about the incident in Seattle that prompted him to leave the team during last season's NHL playoffs. "It was family reasons," he said. "I know you guys want to find something there but there's nothing really interesting. I think we should close it. It's a new season right now. We have to focus on that." The session lasted about two minutes. Many of his teammates expressed support for Nichushkin, who is expected to be a top-six forward this season.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin speaks, says little about Seattle incident: 'Let's close it' Valeri Nichushkin spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since leaving the Avalanche under murky circumstances during the 2023 Stanley C...

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

'Let's close it' — Valeri Nichushkin, back with Avalanche, won't comment on incident Nichushkin spoke briefly to reporters as training camp opened, but not about the incident in Seattle during the playoffs.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin averts questions over sudden absence last year in playoffs

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin averted questions concerning his sudden absence from a playoff series last season for what the team explained was personal reasons

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clear for 2023-24 Nichushkin (personal) will not be investigated by the NHL and is eligible to play in 2023-24, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Impact An incident involving police occurred in Seattle during the Avalanche's first-round series, and it caused Nichushkin to be away from the team. The winger was not charged nor considered criminally liable during the situation. He should be a top-six option for the Avalanche next year, especially with Gabriel Landeskog (knee) expected to miss a second full campaign.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Seattle police release body cam footage of response to hotel incident with Avalanche star Nichushkin, woman SEATTLE — More than 40 minutes of newly released Seattle Police Department body-camera video shows the Colorado Avalanche's team doctor sayi...

JUNE 2, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Seattle police release body cam footage of response to hotel incident with Avalanche star Nichushkin, woman SEATTLE — More than 40 minutes of newly released Seattle Police Department body-camera video shows the Colorado Avalanche's team doctor sayi...

JUNE 2, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Colorado Avalanche quiet about Valeri Nichushkin's absence after police report The Colorado Avalanche did not comment Friday on either the status of forward Valeri Nichushkin or on a police report about an incident at t...

APRIL 28, 2023 • WINNIPEGSUN.COM

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar cites personal reasons for Valeri Nichushkin's absence after police report released Jared Bednar said he has spoken with Valeri Nichushkin but would not divulge his whereabouts nor rule out a possible return to the team duri...

APRIL 28, 2023 • SEATTLETIMES.COM

Avs quiet about Nichushkin's absence after police report

The Colorado Avalanche are not commenting on the status of forward Valeri Nichushkin, who has been away from the team for a few days

APRIL 28, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Avalanche found intoxicated woman when checking on Nichushkin A Colorado Avalanche team physician located a woman who was heavily intoxicated when checking on Valeri Nichushkin prior to Game 3.

APRIL 28, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Intoxicated woman found in Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin's hotel room required transport to hospital, police say A woman was found so intoxicated in Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin’s hotel room Saturday that a team doctor called for an ambulance to...

APRIL 28, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

May not return this series Coach Jared Bednar isn't sure if Nichushkin (personal) will return during Colorado's first-round series versus the Kraken, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.

Impact The Avalanche and Seattle are all tied up at two games apiece, so there will be at least two more contests in the series, but Nichushkin's status for the rest of the first round remains up in the air due to a personal matter. The 28-year-old forward picked up a goal through the first two games of the series before stepping away from the team.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Wednesday Nichushkin (personal) won't be available for Game 5 against Seattle on Wednesday, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.

Impact Nichushkin, who is out indefinitely, will miss his third consecutive contest. It's unclear at this time when he will be ready to return to the Avalanche. Nichushkin has one goal, six shots on net and three hits in two appearances this postseason. During his absence, Matt Nieto has been playing on the second line.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE