The coming return of Valeri Nichushkin could alter the mindset and ultimately the direction for the Avalanche's trade deadline approach
The coming return of Valeri Nichushkin could alter the mindset and ultimately the direction for the Avalanche's trade deadline approach
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The announcement of forward Valeri Nichushkin returning to practice with the Colorado Avalanche has brought smiles and good spirits throughout Denver. After being away from the team since mid-January receiving care through the Player Assistance Program, the 6-foot-4 winger's return could now alter the course of the team's actions at the March 8 trade deadline.
The Avalanche are currently in need of a second-line center to fill the void left by former Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri. The return of Nichushkin could allow the club to focus on players who may not require as many assets at the deadline to acquire.
With two of the top marquee center options Sean Monahan and Elias Lindolm already moved by their former clubs, this leaves the Avalanche with options like Scott Laughton or Morgan Frost from the Philadelphia Flyers, or Alexander Wennberg from the Seattle Kraken to satisfy their need should they look outside of the organization.
Laughton and Frost are currently holding down the first and second center positions for the Flyers and could look to make a move if a deal makes sense for them. Both Laughton ($3 million) and Frost ($2.1 million) are under team-friendly contracts and offer a lot of value for how little they are paid. However, with the team currently sitting in a playoff spot, GM Daniel Brière could opt to retain both players and bolster their lineup instead and push for a playoff berth.
The Kraken, on the other hand, are currently sitting outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference and may opt to make a change. With a point percentage hovering around .500 in the standings, moving the 29-year-old who is in the final year of his three-year, $13.5 million contract could make sense for Seattle.
Time is dwindling for the Avalanche to make a move as the Central Division arms race continues to bolster ahead of the playoffs with Monahan now playing for the Winnipeg Jets and defenseman Chris Tanev headed to the Dallas Stars. The cash-strapped Avalanche will need to be creative in any deal they look to make.
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'We obviously missed him out there': What Valeri Nichushkin's return means to Colorado Avalanche