Avalanche Send Valeri Nichushkin to Blue Jackets for Three Draft Picks

The Colorado Avalanche traded winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. ESPN reported that Colorado received a 2026 second-round pick, Columbus's 2027 third-round pick and Columbus's 2029 fifth-round pick. Nichushkin, 31, is under contract through 2030 at a $6.125 million annual cap hit.

He recorded 17 goals and 32 assists in 72 regular-season games last year and added two goals and two assists in 12 playoff games. Over seven seasons with the Avalanche he tallied 283 points in 404 regular-season games and contributed 15 points in 20 playoff contests during the team's 2022 Stanley Cup run.

Colorado signed Nichushkin as a free agent in 2019 after the Dallas Stars drafted him 10th overall in 2013.

The trade marks the third roster move this week for Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic, who assumed the role after Chris MacFarland departed for the Nashville Predators. Earlier in the week Colorado sent centers Ross Colton and Jack Drury to Nashville. Columbus general manager Don Waddell said the team had prioritized adding forward depth.

"Valeri is a big, strong forward who skates exceptionally well, can score goals, win puck battles and doesn't shy away from playing in the hard areas," Waddell said. " The Blue Jackets averaged three goals per game and ranked 19th in NHL scoring last season while missing the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.

The Avalanche finished with the league's best regular-season record but were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals.