The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired right wing Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a second-round pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, a third-round pick in 2027, and fifth-round pick in 2028, club general manager Don Waddell announced today.   

Nichushkin, 31, was a major factor in the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship. In his 20 games played during that season’s playoff run, he recorded nine goals and six assists, with two game-winning scores. He was in the discussion for the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the playoff MVP, which was ultimately awarded to Colorado teammate Cale Makar.

After that season, Nichushkin was rewarded with an eight-year, $49 million contract extension. With the deal being mostly front-loaded, Nichushkin earned $28.8 million in the deal’s first four years. There are four years remaining in the deal with an annual base salary of $4.8 million plus a bonus this upcoming season of $1 million.

“Valeri is a big, strong forward who skates exceptionally well, can score goals, win puck battles and doesn’t shy away from playing in the hard areas,” said Waddell.  “He is an accomplished two-way player who competes at a high level and we are very excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family.”

The 6-4, 210-pound native of Chelyabinsk, Russia has recorded 154 goals and 203 assists in 627 career games over 11 NHL seasons with Colorado and the Dallas Stars. In 72 outings this past season, he collected 17-32-49 with the Avalanche and was +9, while averaging 17:44 time on the ice. He was selected by the Stars in the first round, 10th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Nichushkin’s time in Colorado was not without its challenges. During the Avs’ 2023 playoff series against the Seattle Kraken, he left the team for personal reasons after a heavily-intoxicated woman was found in a room in the team’s Seattle hotel. It was not clear from the police report if Nichushkin was in the room at the time. No charges or team actions were levied afterward.

In January of 2024, Nichushkin entered the NHL/NHLPA Assistance Program. After completing the program, he returned to the Avalanche lineup in March. But his season ended that May when he was given a six-month suspension for having violated the terms set by the program and once again entered into treatment.

When he returned to the team in November of 2024, Nichushkin was contrite. He told the media, “It was tough. A lot of work. Lots of things, but I think I’ve had huge progress with my mental health, so hopefully this never happens again.”