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Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin Will Play vs New Jersey

Originally posted on Colorado Hockey Now | By Aarif Deen | Last updated Feb 26, 2025 10:39 AM ET

The Avalanche are getting Valeri Nichushkin back on Wednesday, head coach Jared Bednar announced during his weekly radio segment.

The 29-year-old forward has missed every game since the calendar turned to 2025. He suffered a lower-body injury in Colorado’s 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on New Year’s Eve and was originally slated to be out day-to-day before suffering a setback.

Nichushkin was a full participant during Tuesday’s practice, skating on the second line with center Casey Mittelstadt and winger Jonathan Drouin.

Val Nichushkin in burgundy with Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt pic.twitter.com/QTfQlJjyP0

— Colleen Flynn (@CHNFlynn) February 25, 2025

Colorado went 10-9-2 in 21 games without him.

It’ll be a welcoming addition to the lineup given the depth-scoring issues the Avs have faced since his injury.

Outside of Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, Artturi Lehkonen, and Jonathan Drouin, none of the Avalanche forwards have more than 7 points in the past 20 games. They’ve combined for just 29 in that stretch, of which Colorado has only won nine times.

This article first appeared on Colorado Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.

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