Avalanche News
Nichushkin a Full Participant at Practice. Is a Return on Tuesday Imminent?
Valeri Nichushkin was back in full gear at Avalanche practice on Monday, skating in his usual second-line spot alongside center Brock Nelson. Ross Colton rounded out that line.
Captain Gabe Landeskog is among four guys who were not on the ice for Monday’s practice. Nathan MacKinnon, Parker Kelly, and Landeskog are all under the weather, while Victor Olofsson was taking a maintenance day.
Nichushkin could be back in the lineup on Tuesday, according to head coach Jared Bednar.
“He’s a possibility for tomorrow if he gets through today okay,” Bednar said.
Assuming Nichushkin and the guys that missed practice all play, it’s worth wondering if Landeskog ends up being on that second line with Nelson and Nichushkin. They started the season together before Landeskog switched spots with Colton.
Landeskog has been on a tear as of late, putting up four goals and four assists in his last nine games. He’s also a +9 in that stretch and has been a staple of the top power play unit. Albeit Nichushkin’s return could push Landeskog back to the second unit.
The Avs host the Vancouver Canucks at Ball Arena before embarking on a four-game road trip.
In other injury news, Bednar did not have any updates on Logan O’Connor, who was not present for practice. The other injured forward, Gavin Brindley, skated before the team in a red non contact sweater, though there hasn’t been any updates on his return date yet.
The way Landy has been playing he must be given the spot back on the 2nd line. his play demoted him and his play should now promote him. I like the flexibility, but for the playoffs our 1st and 2nd lines need to be out top 6 of Mac, Necky, Lehky, Landy, Nelson, and Chu. We can argue about who on which, but that’s what we need to make a serious run. He is returning as the force in front of the net that will be required to make a cup run. Could not be more thrilled that RossCo is… Read more »
Nuke, not Chu. Not #4 on your Chinese Takeout Menu. Just kidding. Mac, Necky, Lehky, Landy, Nellie & Nuke. The Avs 3rd and 4th lines look even stronger with big Val back. Bardakov has to be part of the 3rd or 4th line. He’s coming into his own and his physical style will be a benefit in the playoffs. A healthy LOC? What’s great about the Avalanche roster is players like Brindley or Eagles players like Tristen Nielsen & Ivan Ivan, Aarif, Aarif.
Going to disagree with the thought that top 6 needs to be so set in stone. If you havevthe depth to spread your top 6 across 3 lines, and fill in with guys that compliment just right, the team can be even harder to play against. As long as Val and Nelson are the staple of line 2, that line is going to be a little defense focused. This is fine when both your first and third lines have the ability to produce. This all goes back to the Nelson “haters” harping on his production. I was never concerned with… Read more »
Great problems to have! Put these forwards in the Bednar blender and see what works. There are a bunch of guys – Colton, Lehky, Olofsson, and even Brindley – that can play anywhere in the lineup and not be out of place. This helps a lot when dealing with injuries or the regular season funk.
Love it! The “Bednar Blender.” That replaces Bedsy Potpourri for sure. Like a box of chocolates – – you never know what you’re gonna get.