Valeri Nichushkin News

Colorado Avalanche
Valeri Nichushkin
Age: 29Position: R
TOI
73%
Fantasy
36%
Fantasy Positional Rank
Goals
70%
Assists
24%
Power-Play
51%
SOG
29%
Plus/Minus
75%
Hits
20%
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Last 3 Seasons Weighted
This Season Performance
Nichushkin underwent successful hip surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss four months.

The Stars prospect has had a difficult time getting his NHL career started on the right track. He was hampered by a sore hip to start the year and now this surgery will keep him out until the middle of March which will have him return for the final 10-15 games of the season. For re-draft leagues he is safe to drop, while in deep keeper leagues he is worth stashing away in your IR.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin (groin) is questionable to return on Tuesday.

Nichushkin has missed the last nine games, but was on the ice for Stars practice this morning after a two-game conditioning stint with Texas (AHL) over the weekend. Head coach Lindy Ruff said whether or not he plays will be based on his conditioning, but considering he just returned from a conditioning stint, it would seem likely that he will play.

Valeri Nichushkin
The Stars have activated Valeri Nichushkin from IR and loaned him to Texas (AHL) on a conditioning assignment.

Nichushkin has missed the last seven games while recovering from a groin injury. His assignment will likely last the weekend as he gets back up to speed and will be recalled to join the Stars for next week. He has no points in two games this season.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin (groin/hip) was back at Stars' practice on Monday.

Nichushkin has missed the last six games with groin/hip injuries, but was back on the ice this morning. Despite returning to practice, Nichushkin skated on the Stars 'fifth-line' which suggests he is nearing a return, but it will not be on Tuesday vs. St. Louis. After tomorrow, Dallas is off until Friday, that seems like a more realistic return date.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin (groin) will "sit for about a week" said Stars GM Jim Nill.

Nichushkin, 19, has been dealing with the nagging injury for about six weeks and it has not improved, so the Stars will shut him down for "about a week" and let it heal. With Nichushkin out, Colton Sceviour got a chance on the Stars top line on Tuesday and produced one assist, three shots and a plus-3 rating. The Stars believe there is a seven to 10 day window before Nichushkin rejoins the team for practice.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin (illness) back on the Stars' top-line this morning.

Nichushkin had been feeling under the weather the last few days which prompted the Stars to have him practice on the fourth line with Colton Sceviour taking his spot on the top-line. Nichushkin was shifted back to the right wing with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin and should be there for the season opener tomorrow. He has a ton of size and skill and two awesome linemates, all things point towards a huge year for Nichushkin.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin appears to be the odd man out for Russia on Thursday.

In line rushes at Monday's practice, Nichushkin skated as an extra. With a team stacked with polished NHL and KHL veterans it is not surprising to see the 18-year-old sit on the big stage. He could see some action as the tournament progresses, but don't expect to see him on Thursday vs. Slovenia.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin will be back in the Stars lineup tonight.

“Val is going back in,” Lindy Ruff said. “This was to recharge Val and get him going again. It’s hard, because we miss him when he’s out of the lineup, we miss the Val that had lots of energy and skated well. It’s hard to say an 18-year-old is a big part of our team, but he’s a big part of our team, and when he’s going well, we’re a better team.” Those are pretty complimentary words for Nichushkin, who has 22 points (9G / 13A) in 46 games. There is no word on how the Stars lines will shake out, but we guess that coach Ruff goes back to his old lines, which will see Nichushkin skating with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.

Valeri Nichushkin
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