‘It’s a Good Problem’: How Nichushkin’s Return Will Boost Avs

Regular-season hockey for the Colorado Avalanche resumes on Saturday, and the lineup may look different than before the 4 Nations break. Valeri Nichushkin is expected to return after missing 19 games due to a lower-body injury.

The 29-year-old Russian was injured on New Year’s Eve and was initially only supposed to miss a week or so.

“What I would classify for now is day-to-day … then we’ll just keep an eye on him from there,” head coach Jared Bednar said on Jan. 2. “I don’t think it’s really serious, but it could keep him out seven to 10 days. We’ll just see what the next handful of days looks like, and see what kind of progression he makes.”

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On Jan. 13, Bednar said Nichushkin had suffered a setback and didn’t have a timeline for his return. But before the break, the Avs coach confirmed the top six forward would likely be back after the two weeks off.

What happens to the lineup when Nichushkin returns? “We get even deeper. It’s a good problem,” Bednar said.

Nichushkin has not practiced with the team yet. He was skating and taking shots on his own before the team went on the road for the last three games ahead of the break.

Val Nichushkin working on his shots … in shorts. Casual Saturday 🤣 #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/fpqCuxFstE

— Colleen Flynn (@CHNFlynn) February 1, 2025

How Avs Depth Increases with Nichushkin’s Return

Bednar has said the Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Logan O’Connor line has been the most consistent all season and Nathan MacKinnon’s line has pulled a lot of the weight in most games. The inconsistency from the middle two lines has been an issue.

Jack Drury centered Ross Colton and Miles Wood in the last few games, which seems to have developed some chemistry. Casey Mittelstadt has had either Jonathan Drouin and/or Artturi Lehkonen and Juuso Parssinen on his line but nothing has really clicked.

Any player returning from injury may take some time to readjust. But for Nichushkin, it will be more challenging with Mikko Rantanen gone and learning to play with Martin Necas and Jack Drury on special teams.

Nichushkin will likely start on the second line with Mittelstadt and Lehkonen. If either the center or winger doesn’t gel with him, coach may try Drury at center and Drouin on the wing. There are a few different possible combinations to try and find chemistry.

The Avs return to the ice for practice on Wednesday, minus MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Devon Toews — who will be playing in the 4 Nations championship as members of Team Canada on Thursday. Nichushkin will have the opportunity to play with the new guys for a few days and get a sense of where he’ll slot in when they play the Nashville Predators on Saturday.