The Colorado Avalanche Signed as an unrestricted, free agent pending Valeri Nichushkin Monday saw the club announce a eight-year extension.
According to ESPN sources, the contract is worth $49,000,000 and an annual average value $6.1 million. This confirms an initial report by The Athletic.
Nichushkin just finished the most successful regular season of his professional career with 25 goals and 52 points in only 62 games. Nichushkin, 27, was instrumental in helping the Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup championship in 2001. He scored nine goals and had 15 points in 20 games. Nichushkin also suffered a horrific foot injury in Colorado’s Cup-clinching game 6. He sustained it in Game 5 against the Avalanche. Tampa Bay Lightning.
Nichushkin’s Colorado investment comes just a few years after he was dropped from the NHL. The 10th overall selection of Nichushkin came from the Dallas Stars In the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and had a successful rookie season in 2013-14 with 14 goals & 34 points in 79 matches.
Nichushkin’s second season was marred by injuries, which led to poor performance over the next two years. Nichushkin quit the league to join the KHL’s CSKA Moscow in the 2016-17 season.
Nichushkin was back in the Stars after two years of living abroad. He only produced 10 assists in the Stars’ 2018-19 season. Dallas then placed Nichushkin’s unconditional waivers, and bought out his final season.
Colorado was there to help. Nichushkin was signed to an $850,000, one-year contract by the Avalanche in August 2019. It was the perfect team-player partnership, something Colorado coach Jared Bednar often spoke of as Nichushkin emerged during Colorado’s Cup run.
Bednar explained that “we brought him in, but his confidence was low.” It’s been built over the years, and he’s proud of it. [become] This man is an integral part of our team. His efforts are not lost on the team, as well as in the locker room. They recognize the important role he plays in our success. It’s the system we play and the demands we make of our defensive players. [that’s] Val’s strength is his biggest strength. He’s a strong, tall, muscular guy who can also skate.
Nichushkin could sign a long-term contract that will also indicate that Colorado is looking for its other major free agent, center Nazem Kadri — will not be back. Kadri also had a great season (87 points in 71 matches) and will become an unrestricted, free agent on July 13. Kadri is expected to be approached by several teams and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 13.