Avalanche Get Disappointing News On Valeri Nichushkin

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

The Colorado Avalanche received disappointing news regarding forward Valeri Nichushkin, whose return from a lower-body injury has been delayed. 

Initially expected to miss just 7–10 days, the 29-year-old has already sat out six games and seems far from rejoining the lineup. Head coach Jared Bednar revealed that Nichushkin had been making progress, but after skating a few times, he "didn’t feel great" and had to step back to focus on conditioning. 

"Got to back up a little bit and build him back up again," Bednar said, confirming that Nichushkin still has "some distance to go."

Nichushkin’s absence has been noticeable, as the Avalanche struggle to replicate his impact, particularly on the power play. 

Colorado holds a 14–7 record with him in the lineup compared to 12–10–1 without him. 

While Nichushkin has contributed 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season, his game has shown signs of rust, including uncharacteristic puck turnovers. His return would provide a significant boost, but the timeline remains unclear.

Injuries continue to plague the Avalanche, adding to an already challenging season. 

Captain Gabriel Landeskog’s recovery remains uncertain, though Bednar denied reports that swelling in Landeskog’s knee has prevented him from skating on consecutive days. 

Meanwhile, goaltender Scott Wedgewood returned earlier than expected after recovering from an ankle injury, providing a rare piece of good news for a team suffering constant setbacks. 

The Avalanche are currently fourth in the Central Division, holding a 26-17-1 record. 

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images



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