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Valeri Nichushkin Fantasy Stats

Background banner image for player info Valeri Nichushkin
Columbus Blue Jackets

Right Winger #43

Healthy
Height / Weight 6'4"  /  210 lbs.
Date of Birth (Age) Mar 4, 1995 (31)
ESPN Eligible LW, RW

2026-27 Rankings

Current RW55

Season Stats

SCORING
SEASON TEAM POS GP FPTS GS G A PTS SOG SH% PPG SHG HAT BLK PIM +/-
2013-14DALRW75148.5013193211711.1100268+18
2014-15DALRW85.5001160.000012-5
2015-16DALRW78150.50919281396.51003212+2
2018-19DALRW5768.5001010650.0000320-4
2019-20COLRW65389.6413142711311.51102214+26
2020-21COLRW55334.441011219810.2010284+9
2021-22COLRW62665.62525275218013.95202714+21
2022-23COLRW53596.11417304715810.81010372+15
2023-24COLRW54645.73428255315817.716002422+5
2024-25COLRW43461.3721133411817.8501218+11
2025-26COLRW72599.62117324916010.61112726+9
2026-27CBJRW749.001231010.000050-1
Career 629 4114.3 109 154 203 357 1322 11.6 40 6 2 282 112 +106

Game Log

SCORING
TEAM OPP POS FPTS GS G A PTS SOG SH% PPG SHG HAT BLK PIM +/-
Oct 1, 2026 CBJBUFRW5.00011000000-1
Oct 3, 2026 CBJUTARW5.6000020.000020-1
Oct 9, 2026 CBJPITRW2.8000010.0000100
Oct 10, 2026 CBJSTLRW14.50101425.000000+1
Oct 13, 2026 CBJFLARW8.0001120.000000-1
Oct 17, 2026 CBJNYRRW2.600000000200
Oct 18, 2026 CBJMINRW1.5000010.000000+1
Last 7 40.0 0 1 2 3 10 10.0 0 0 0 5 0 -1

Valeri Nichushkin News

Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Acquire Valeri Nichushkin

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired winger Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Nichushkin is signed for four more years at a $6.125 million cap hit. The Russian veteran is a proven scorer in the NHL and a valued defensive contributor. However, durability concerns affect his fantasy value. In 2025-26, Nichushkin played 70-plus games for the first time in eight seasons. He fell short of his third 50-point campaign by a single point, tallying 17 goals and 32 assists in 72 outings.
Jun 26   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin a Game-Time Call Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) is a game-time decision against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Russian forward sustained a lower-body injury in Game 3 and did not participate in Tuesday's optional morning skate. Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) also sat out the morning skate but is expected to play. Having Nichushkin available would be a further boost for the Avalanche, who face elimination on Tuesday night. He has one goal in three games in the series, though Nichushkin has been quiet for much of the postseason. In 12 outings, he has recorded four points (two goals, two assists). Joel Kiviranta will likely enter the lineup if Nichushkin is ultimately ruled out.
May 26   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin Uncertain for Game 4

Colorado Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) and Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) are uncertain for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Derek Van Diest of NHL.com reports. Both players suffered lower-body injuries in Game 3. "I don't have any updates," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said on Monday. "Those guys are getting treatments, they're getting evaluated. It could be tomorrow morning before we know, it could be game time before we know, so we'll just plan for all scenarios." Losing MacKinnon from the lineup would be particularly bad for Colorado. He leads the team with seven goals and 15 points in 12 postseason games. MacKinnon ranks sixth all-time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a scoring average of 1.31 points per game.
May 25   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Exits Early Sunday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (undisclosed) didn't finish Sunday's 5-3 Game 3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The Russian forward didn't play in the final 22 minutes of the contest. It was a tough night all around for the Avalanche, as they blew a 3-0 lead and also saw Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) get hurt. Nichushkin has been quiet in the postseason, recording four points (two goals, two assists) in 12 games. With both Nichushkin and MacKinnon ailing, Colorado's offense could see a major shake-up for Game 4 on Tuesday night.
May 25   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin scored the team's first goal in Wednesday's 4-2 home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. He got the Avalanche on the board with 5:53 played in the third period. At the 17:39 mark, Gabriel Landeskog made it a one-goal game on the power play, but Colorado's offensive surge came clearly too late. Nichushkin has had a disappointing postseason. Before Wednesday night, he had gone three consecutive games without a point, and overall, the Russian forward has made an offensive impact in only three of Colorado's 10 games. Having contributed just two goals and two assists so far, Nichushkin has plenty of room to step up his game.
May 21   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin, Nicolas Roy Available Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche forwards Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) and Nicolas Roy (upper body) will rejoin the lineup on Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues. While Nichushkin returns from a one-game absence, Roy has been unavailable for seven contests. Both players have been dealing with upper-body injuries. With Nichushkin back in the mix, Nazem Kadri will drop to the third line. However, Kadri will still have plenty of fantasy value thanks to his role on the first power-play unit. Roy will join Kadri on the third line alongside Ross Colton, but he hasn't made a significant impact in fantasy this season. Joel Kiviranta and Zakhar Bardakov will be scratched on Tuesday.
Apr 7   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Labeled Day-to-Day

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) is day-to-day, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. He missed Sunday's loss to St. Louis due to an upper-body injury. However, it looks like Nichushkin could be available to re-enter the lineup for Tuesday's rematch between the teams. Nazem Kadri joined the top six on Sunday and will probably drop back to the third line if Nichushkin returns. Earlier this season, Nichushkin missed time due to a lower-body injury and personal reasons. He has been limited to 66 appearances. The Russian forward has totaled 15 goals and 30 assists.
Apr 6   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin had a three-assist game on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks, helping his team secure a 4-2 victory. Nichushkin helped Artturi Lehkonen score two second-period goals, and Josh Manson potted the game-winning goal in the third after work from Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon. With Martin Necas (lower body) out, Nichushkin has skated on the first line with Lehkonen and MacKinnon. The Olympic break comes at the wrong time for him, as the Russian forward has been pointless only once in his last six outings. For the season, Nichushkin has totaled 12 goals and 34 points in 46 games.
Feb 5   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Returns to Action Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The Russian forward didn't play in Monday's win over the Washington Capitals after sustaining an upper-body injury in a car accident. Fortunately, Nichushkin has made a quick recovery and should fill his normal duties against Anaheim. Colorado uses Nichushkin on the second line and the second power-play unit. He has tallied 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 38 games this season. In January, Nichushkin has been slumping, finishing scoreless in six of seven appearances.
Jan 22   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Nets Second Career Hat Trick

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin wrapped up 2025 with his second career hat trick in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. Colorado burst out of the gate with four goals inside the opening 4:39 of action as Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon became only the second set of teammates in NHL history to each score multiple goals in the first five minutes of a game. MacKinnon ended the contest with four points (two goals, two assists). After missing a large chunk of November with a lower-body injury, Nichushkin came back with a vengeance in December, averaging a point per game across 14 outings. He had been held off the score sheet only once in the past nine games. Nichushkin begins 2026 sitting on 36 points (11 goals, 15 assists) through 31 appearances this season.
Jan 1   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Available After Eight-Game Absence

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will return from an eight-game absence on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports. He is expected to join the second line and the first power-play unit. Nichushkin had a slow start to the season, but he has done a decent job overall for the Avalanche. In 17 appearances, Nichushkin has posted five goals and 12 points. One of his most recent outings was against the Canucks, and he finished the contest with two assists. Vancouver allows the second-most goals in the league and has the third-worst penalty kill, making this a dream matchup for the Avalanche forwards.
Dec 2   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Considered Week-to-Week

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will exit the lineup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres and is considered week-to-week. The Russian forward sustained a lower-body injury in Tuesday's victory over the Anaheim Ducks. This season, Nichushkin has been Colorado's sixth-highest scorer, posting 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 17 appearances. Rookie Gavin Brindley will join the second line in Nichushkin's absence on Thursday. The 21-year-old has collected four points in the last five games, and his fantasy stock receives a further boost with Brindley's promotion to a top-six role.
Nov 14   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Sustains Lower-Body Injury in Win

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) didn't complete Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. He left the contest early in the third period. Prior to his exit, the Russian forward helped Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog score his first regular-season goal in three years. Nichushkin has contributed five goals and seven assists across 17 outings this season. His potential absence from the lineup for the upcoming games could give Landeskog or Viktor Olofsson a larger role in the Avalanche attack. Colorado will return to action on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.
Nov 12   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Leads The Way On Saturday

Colorado Avalanche left wing Valeri Nichushkin scored a hat trick during their victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday evening. In the opening frame, Nichushkin found the back of the net twice, both during even strength play. Later in the final frame, Nichushkin would complete his hat trick as he scored an empty-netter. In the final minute, Nichushkin would add his fourth point of the evening, this time with the primary assist on Colorado's second empty-net goal. This was his first career regular season hat trick and only the second time he found the back of the net twice in a single game this season. Over his previous six contests, Nichushkin has tallied six points (four goals) with two of the points coming on the power-play. Fantasy managers should continue to view Nichushkin as a viable play in favorable matchups in DFS as he will continue to see time in the Colorado top-six.
Mar 9, 2025   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Returns To Avalanche Lineup

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will be welcomed back into the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. He will make his first appearance in 2025 after missing time due to a lower-body injury. Nichushkin was suspended at the start of the season, meaning he has skated in just 21 games in 2024-25. Colorado has received top-class production from Nichushkin when he has been on the ice, as the Russian forward boasts 11 goals and 17 points for the season. The Avalanche will partner Nichushkin with Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt in the lineup.
Feb 26, 2025   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Expected To Remain Sidelined Through International Break

According to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette, Colorado Avalanche left wing Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) is expected to remain sidelined through the 4 Nations break. Nichushkin has already been sidelined over the past 14 contests due to the injury he suffered on December 31. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Nichushkin to remain out over their final five contests before the international break. Before the injury, the 29-year-old scored 11 goals and added six helpers across 21 contests this season. He has held a +6 rating with 52 total shots on goal. While sidelined, fantasy managers should continue to expect Juuso Parssinen to have a role on the second offensive line and power-play unit.
Jan 29, 2025   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Suffers Injury Setback

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury and is considered week-to-week. Nichushkin, who has been out since Dec. 31, returned to full practice on Sunday. However, he left the session early, and it seems that it will take more time before he is back in game shape. Colorado will play an 11th consecutive game without Nichushkin on Wednesday against Winnipeg. Ross Colton has landed on the top line during Nichushkin's absence and deserves fantasy attention as he skates alongside two of the league's top six scorers, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.
Jan 22, 2025   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Out On Thursday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will not suit up for Thursday's matchup against Buffalo. He sustained a lower-body injury on Tuesday versus Winnipeg. Per Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey, head coach Jared Bednar has described Nichushkin's injury as "more of a minor deal." This suggests that the Russian forward can make a relatively quick return. After a suspension delayed his season debut, Nichushkin has been performing well in 2024-25, recording 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in 21 outings. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen might be reunited on the first line due to Nichushkin's absence. Jonathan Drouin, who returned to the lineup with a two-assist performance on Tuesday, is also an option to move up to the top line.
Jan 2, 2025   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Departs Early On Tuesday

According to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette, Colorado Avalanche left wing Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) departed Tuesday's game early and did not return. Before suffering the injury, Nichushkin tallied three shots on goal with a +1 rating while playing on the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 29-year-old's status heading into their next matchup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. While sidelined, Mikko Rantanen will likely return to the top unit. The superstar forward is currently riding an 11-game point streak. Over this span, he has tallied 19 points (six goals, 13 helpers) with 25 total shots on goal.
Jan 1, 2025   
Valeri Nichushkin  • RW  •  Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Pots Lone Avalanche Goal In Monday's Defeat

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin was the team's lone goal-scorer in Monday's 3-1 defeat against Vancouver. He grabbed a late consolation goal with 46 seconds left in regulation. Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar picked up the assists. Nichushkin already has five goals for the month and has been providing steady offense since making his season debut a month ago. He's bagged eight goals in total and sits on 12 points through 16 appearances. The Russian forward skates on the second line with Ross Colton and Casey Mittelstadt and has landed a job on the first power-play unit.
Dec 17, 2024   
LEGEND
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