Bednar hints that Nichushkin’s return is coming soon for Avs

The Colorado Avalanche have been lacking offensive firepower since returning to play after the 4 Nations Face-Off, but Valeri Nichushkin may be back soon

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

Feb 25, 2025, 1:43 PM

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The Colorado Avalanche have been lacking offensive firepower since returning to play after the 4 Nations Face-Off. With just one goal in each of the two games the team has played so far, nothing has been clicking for Jared Bednar’s squad in the offensive zone after winning four out of five games heading into the break.

To the pleasure of Avs fans, forward Valeri Nichushkin was a full participant in Avalanche practice Tuesday morning, skating on the second line next to Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittlestadt. The right-winger from Russia has been out since Dec. 31 when he suffered a lower-body injury against the Winnipeg Jets. In the 21 games he played before the injury, Nichushkin had 11 goals, six assists and was a +6 when on the ice for the Avs.

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar didn’t confirm that the 6-foot-4 winger would be a go for Wednesday night’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils, he also didn’t say that Nichushkin is out for the game.

Nichushkin is a possibility tomorrow. Bednar wouldn’t commit one way or the other, so we’ll see tomorrow.

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) February 25, 2025

Nichushkin’s return could provide a spark to a wavering Colorado offense that has scored a goal on just two of 61 total shots the past two games. While it might take time for him to find chemistry with newly-acquired Martin Necas, his ability to put pucks in the net at even strength and on the power play is what the Avs need to get back on track.

Colorado is currently sitting in the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference playoff race. While the team is five points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks for the second wild-card spot, the offensive struggles have shown that this is not the high-flying Avalanche team from 2022 and that they can’t score themselves out of a poor defensive showing anymore.

Nichushkin also missed a chunk of games to start the season, after the NHL suspended him for six months as part of the league’s Player Assistance Program.

Puck drop for Wednesday’s game against the Devils is set for 7:30 p.m. MT at Ball Arena.