Deen’s Daily: Nichushkin Is Back in Town; Long Shootout; Woll Getting Closer

Before the Avalanche took the ice for practice on Saturday, the team announced that Valeri Nichushkin had returned to Denver and would begin skating and working out on his own. Everything seems to be full steam ahead from here on out towards getting him back in the lineup. During his press conference before the flight to San Jose, head coach Jared Bednar mentioned that the team hopes to have Nichushkin join the squad for practice soon, and ultimately get up to speed in time for a Nov. 13 reinstatement, assuming all goes well.

It’s quite the jolt of news the team needs. The guys in the room know how important Valeri Nichushkin is and it’s no secret they need him back and playing his game. I just hope, for everyone’s sake, that the Avs take all the measures they need to take to ensure this doesn’t happen again. This is a $36 million+ asset that will win you a lot of games and drive a lot of revenue. Invest what you need into this to keep it from reaching a bitter end.

Another welcoming bit of news was also announced yesterday. Goalie Kaapo Kahkonen, who the Avalanche picked up off waivers 10 days ago, was finally in town and practiced with the team. Kahkonen might get into the lineup during the Avs’ three-game road trip, which begins Sunday night in San Jose. I wrote about the goaltending situation that the team again has on its hands, and how Kahkonen is probably going to get every chance to at least be the permanent backup when the playoffs come around.

I have this prediction, which I truly hesitate to share because it might come back and burn me. But, I genuinely believe when the playoffs begin, the two goaltenders in the Avs’ lineup will not be Alexandar Georgiev or Justus Annunen. Will Kahkonen be one of the two? I guess his play will help determine that.

Colleen Flynn also caught up with Ross Colton following practice to talk about his strong start to the season. I also touched on this during yesterday’s daily, but Colton looks extremely comfortable on the wing. He has four goals and an assist through five games. Read more by clicking here (CHN+ subscribers only).

Around The NHL

NYI Hockey Now: How about a nine-round shootout between the Islanders and Montreal Canadiens? Patrick Roy’s team was victorious in what was an entertaining game from start to finish. I always enjoyed watching Semyon Varlamov in the shootout. He’s a true student of the game when it comes to studying shooters. He was of course in goal for New York in this one.

Toronto: Goalie Joseph Woll is nearing a return. At least that’s what it sounds like when you read between the lines of Craig Berube’s press conferences. Unlike Sheldon Keefe, Berube isn’t as straightforward or long-winded with his answers so it’s hard to be 100 percent sure. But I will say, the Leafs need Woll. Even with Anthony Stolarz playing well, Woll is the guy they’ve invested in to be their starter for years to come and will be the better goalie in the long run if he’s healthy. I just hope the kid doesn’t develop a reputation for always being injured because he has all the tools to be Toronto’s starter for the next decade or more.

And to close out Sunday’s Daily with a chuckle, here’s Joey Daccord epically failing to jump into the celebration pile.

Goalies, man. pic.twitter.com/s9gyhAbLP5

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 20, 2024