NHL teams complete trades ahead of free agency and draft

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired forward 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. The Blue Jackets finished 19th in offensive scoring last season, averaging three goals per game.

Nichushkin, 31, has recorded 20 or more goals in three of his past five seasons and posted 17 goals and 49 points in 72 games last season.

Tuch agreed to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $10.5 million. Tuch recorded 33 goals and 66 points in 79 games last season.

Nichushkin leaves the Avalanche with projected cap space of $21.025 million, according to PuckPedia. The team had no first- or second-round picks in the upcoming draft before the deal. The Avalanche reached the Western Conference finals last season before being swept by Vegas.

The Blue Jackets will attempt to fit Nichushkin into their lineup while managing his $6.125 million annual cap hit over the remaining four years of his contract.