The Colorado Avalanche rolled past the Anaheim Ducks with a 4–1 win on Tuesday night, but the victory came with a downside. Forward Valeri Nichushkin landed on the injury report after logging just 12:57 of ice time.
The specifics of the injury remain unclear, though head coach Jared Bednar said during his Wednesday radio appearance that Nichushkin is dealing with a lower-body issue. A timeline for his return should come eventually, but it doesn’t sound like updates are imminent.
Nichushkin has appeared in all 17 games so far this season, contributing five goals and seven assists—steady production for a team sitting atop the Western Conference at 11–6, including five losses that came in overtime or shootouts. Their ability to consistently push games the distance has been impressive.
His absence will be felt. Nichushkin brings size, physicality, strong skating, and the ability to work along the boards and create with the puck. While Gabriel Landeskog’s return helps offset some of that presence—thanks to his physical style and leadership—the Avalanche still lose a key piece of their lineup.
Who steps up for Colorado with Nichushkin out?
The Avalanche have the depth to absorb the hit. Landeskog has bounced between the second and third lines, even swapping places with Ross Colton at times as Bednar experiments with combinations to maximize production.
Still, Landeskog probably won’t replace Nichushkin directly, since he plays the opposite wing and the team likely wants to avoid disrupting his comfort as he continues settling back into regular action.
The most logical option to fill Nichushkin’s role is Victor Olofsson. He’s been a standout so far, tallying five goals and nine assists through 17 games. Given that level of production, he’s earned a temporary bump up the lineup.