Avalanche star winger Valeri Nichushkin is now thought of week-to-week after struggling a second setback in his restoration from a lower-body damage, head coach Jared Bednar stated on Altitude Sports activities Radio on Wednesday, through Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Nichushkin final performed on Dec. 31 in opposition to the Jets, leaving the sport halfway by way of the second interval. Bednar said later that week he anticipated Nichushkin to overlook seven to 10 days.
He then told reporters early that Nichushkin wouldn’t make it again inside that window and nonetheless had a methods to go in his restoration after struggling a setback, however he reversed course just a few days in the past. The 29-year-old practiced over the weekend however hasn’t been on the ice since.
Colorado has solely had Nichushkin obtainable for 21 of its 48 video games. He missed the primary 17 video games of the marketing campaign whereas serving the top of his automated six-month suspension levied by the NHL when he was placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in the course of the Avs’ second-round loss to the Stars.
When obtainable this season, Nichushkin has remained a particularly efficient top-six piece. His 11 targets and 6 assists for 17 factors by way of 21 video games equate to 0.81 factors per sport, down from final season’s career-high 0.98 however nonetheless fifth on the group.
The Avalanche have a 14-7-0 document with Nichushkin within the lineup in 2024-25 in comparison with a 14-12-1 mark with out. Nonetheless, his fame as one of many league’s premier two-way wingers hasn’t held up in his small play pattern. His 51.2 CF% at even power is true according to the group’s common, so whereas he’s stayed above water, he hasn’t had an overtly constructive influence on the group’s puck possession.
Nichushkin, signed by way of 2030 at a $6.125M cap hit, stays on the energetic roster. Nonetheless, he could be retroactively positioned on injured reserve anytime to open a roster spot if needed.
Whereas Colorado’s ahead corps is more healthy than it’s been for an excellent chunk of the season, the group continues to be with out bottom-six vitality winger Miles Wood, who hasn’t performed since late November due to an upper-body damage. Captain Gabriel Landeskog stays sidelined as a result of a number of proper knee surgical procedures which have saved him from enjoying for the reason that group’s 2022 Stanley Cup win, however he has grow to be a extra frequent participant in morning skates in latest days.
