In a season already marred by struggles and setbacks, the Colorado Avalanche received more disheartening news on Wednesday: forward Valeri Nichushkin has suffered a setback in his rehab from a lower-body injury and is now considered week-to-week. The 29-year-old winger, who has been sidelined since December 31st, seemed to be nearing a return to the lineup. However, head coach Jared Bednar delivered the sobering update, stating that Nichushkin “is not close to coming back soon.”
A Crucial Piece Missing
Nichushkin’s absence has been keenly felt by the Avalanche, who have struggled to find consistency this season after winning the Stanley Cup last year. In 21 games played, the powerful Russian tallied an impressive 11 goals and 6 assists, providing a key offensive spark and physical presence. As Coach Bednar noted:
He’s an impact player on any line that he plays on and has a huge impact on special teams, too. One player of that caliber makes a big difference.
– Jared Bednar, Colorado Avalanche Head Coach
Avalanche Sliding Without Nichushkin
Without their power winger in the lineup, Colorado has struggled to maintain their championship form. The team’s record speaks to Nichushkin’s importance:
- With Nichushkin: 14-7-0
- Without Nichushkin: 14-12-1
For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, hovering around .500 simply won’t cut it. The Avalanche find themselves in a dogfight for playoff positioning in the ultra-competitive Central Division. Every game counts, and not having a player of Nichushkin’s caliber for an extended period could prove costly.
No Stranger to Setbacks
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Nichushkin has been unavailable due to circumstances away from the ice. Last May, in the midst of Colorado’s playoff run, he was suspended for at least six months and placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. It marked the second consecutive postseason where the Avalanche were without one of their key contributors.
The gifted but enigmatic winger has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, which began with the Dallas Stars back in 2013. In 533 NHL games, Nichushkin has amassed an impressive 291 points (127G, 164A). His unique blend of size, skill, and two-way acumen made him an integral part of Colorado’s championship run in 2021-22.
The Road Ahead
With Nichushkin’s timeline now uncertain, the Avalanche will need other players to step up in his absence. The onus falls on the team’s remaining star forwards – Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog – to carry the offensive load. Secondary scorers like Evan Rodrigues, J.T. Compher, and Denis Malgin must also rise to the occasion.
Still, there’s no replacing a talent like Nichushkin, who serves as a tone-setter with his rare combination of high-end skill and physicality. His absence leaves a significant void, one the Avalanche will be hard-pressed to fill as they fight for positioning in a tightly contested Western Conference playoff race.
As the regular season enters its pivotal final months, Colorado can only hope that this latest setback doesn’t derail their championship aspirations. For now, they’ll have to soldier on without one of their most impactful players, hoping that Nichushkin can heal up and return in time to help lead another deep postseason run.
