Blue Jackets Acquire Valeri Nichushkin
Pro Hockey Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- The Colorado Avalanche have traded winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for three future draft picks: a 2026 second-round, 2027 third-round, and 2028 fifth-round pick.
- Nichushkin, signed through 2029-30 with a $6.125 million salary, was moved to create financial flexibility for Colorado amid upcoming contract extensions for key players Cale Makar and Artturi Lehkonen.
- Since joining Colorado in 2019, Nichushkin has been a productive player with 131 goals and 283 points in 404 games, contributing significantly to their 2022 Stanley Cup win despite injury issues limiting his regular-season availability.
- Columbus aims to replace Mason Marchment with Nichushkin, valuing his postseason experience and offensive potential while avoiding giving up a first-round draft pick.
- The Avalanche will gain approximately $11 million in cap space post-trade, positioning themselves for future roster moves and a potentially costly extension for defenseman Cale Makar.
