Valeri Nichushkin News

Nichushkin took part in the Stars morning skate on Tuesday and is expected to make his season debut tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old has not played in the NHL since the 2015-16 season, but scored 27 goals and 24 assists (51 points) in 86 KHL games since then.

Nichushkin missed the Stars season opener vs.the Coyotes on Thursday and is unlikely to play Saturday against the Jets. The Russian winger is considered day-to-day, so you could see him make his season debut next week.

Nichushkin was drafted No.10 overall in 2013 and recorded 64 points (23G / 41A) in 166 career NHL games before leaving for the KHL. The 23-year-old had 27 goals and 24 assists (51 points) in 86 games with CSKA Moscow during his two years in Russia. Nichushkin returns to the NHL, where he projects to be a middle-6 winger.

Nichushkin was unhappy with his playing time in Dallas and the 21-year-old restricted free agent has decided to return to Russia for the 2016-17 season. Nichushkin was the 10th overall pick in 2013 but has yet to develop into the scoring power-forward that he was expected to become. He had just 29 points (9G / 20A) in 79 games last season and 64 points (23G / 41A) across 166 career NHL games.

Nichushkin was scratched from last night’s game because of a lower-body injury, but will get back in the lineup tonight. There was no indication on who would come out to make room for Nichushkin, but we will find out in warmups. Nichushkin has just 13 points (4G / 9A) this season and hasn’t registered a point since December 15th.

Nichushkin served as a healthy scratch in the last two games, but with injuries to Patrick Eaves, Curtis McKenzie and Travis Moen, the Stars will put Nichushkin back in the lineup on Saturday. The 20-year-old winger, who had five shots on goal in the first two games, will skate on the second line with Jason Spezza and Colton Sceviour vs. the Panthers.

Nichushkin played just 10:38 on Saturday and so far this season he has no points and five shots through two games. With Nichushkin expected to sit, look for Colton Sceviour to make his season debut.

Nichushkin was held out of the lineup on Monday, but he will be back in the lineup tonight and is expected to play on the top line and see power-play time. He has one assist and a minus-2 rating in two games since returning to the lineup.

After completing a three-game conditioning stint with Texas (AHL), Nichushkin is back with the Stars and ready to play tonight. He is expected to start on the fourth line with Colton Sceviour and Travis Moen, but should move around a bit. He had no points in four games with the Stars earlier in the season.

Nichushkin, 20, recorded three assists and nine shots on goal during his three-game conditioning stint with Texas (AHL). Nichushkin has been out since November but it looks like he’ll be in tomorrow vs. the Blues.

Ninchushkin, who has only appeared in four games with the Stars this season, is finally ready to get into game action after undergoing hip surgery back in November. He will play three games in Texas before returning to Dallas for the final five games of the regular season.

Nichushkin will head to Texas and if he is feeling healthy enough he is expected to play on Friday. He will play three games there before returning to the Stars.

Nichushkin, who hasn’t played since November 6th, will be traveling with the team, and is expected to return to the Stars lineup next week. He had no points in four games before getting injured.

Nichushkin, who had hip surgery on November 18th, visited with his doctor last weekend and was told it would still be 4-6 weeks before he can play in an NHL game. “He’s skating before and after practice,” GM Jim Nill said. “We’ll take it slower and just make sure he’s ready for each step.”

Nichushkin’s original timetable was four months, which would have had him returning in mid-to-late March. If he returns at the front end of the 3-6 week timetable, the Stars will have him back in the last week of February or first week of March.

Nichushkin had surgery on his hip in mod-November and had been in New Jersey since. He was back at team facilities today and was reportedly in good spirits. His original timetable for a return was four months, which would see him return for the final 10-15 games of the season.