Valeri Nichushkin has returned to the Colorado Avalanche from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Nichushkin returned to practice after spending 40 days in the program for unexplained reasons. He will bring a much-needed boost to the ailing Avalanche offense when he returns to action. The Russian was on a hot streak before departing the squad, collecting 10 points in ten games.
It is unclear when the forward will return to game action, but Samuel Girard may provide an idea. Jared Bednar, the head coach, handled Girard as if he were returning from injury. Girard was cleared to rejoin the squad on December 22nd, and he appeared in his first game nine days later. If the same is true for Nichushkin, he might return against Chicago or Detroit next week.
The Avalanche have been struggling without the power forward in the lineup. With Nichushkin in the lineup, the Avalanche are 26–11–3, without him they are just 9–8–2. Nichushkin brings something that many players on the team cannot, a two-way game. He will pressure the opposing team on defense to steal the puck. He will then drive to the net like an unstoppable train on its tracks, earning the nickname “Choo Choo” from fans. The power play even has seen a difference as well. Ranked eighth before Nichushkin’s departure, it now ranks 19th since.
With the injection of offense and defense that Nichushkin will provide, Colorado may not have to shop nearly as much next week at the deadline. His 42 points in 40 games were helping the Avalanche cruise to easy victories, or giving them the confidence to do it. If he can have the same boost in play that Girard had after his return, the man will be someone to fear on ice. This will for sure give the Avalanche some confidence by moving forward down the stretch.
