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Avalanche Trade Nichushkin to Columbus for 2026-28 Picks

6/26/2026

Summary

Sakic Trades Nichushkin

Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic traded Valeri Nichushkin to Columbus for a 2026 second-round, 2027 third-round and 2028 fifth-round pick.
Nichushkin posted 17 goals and 49 points in 72 games last season while earning $6.124 million.
Columbus will assume the final four years of Nichushkin’s eight-year, $49 million extension at $6.125 million per season.
The trade follows two earlier cost-cutting moves and leaves Colorado with 10 picks in the NHL draft.

Summary

Nichushkin Serves Suspension

Nichushkin served a six-month suspension in May 2024 after failing a drug test and entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
He missed 22 games in 2023-24 while under a contract with a 12-team no-trade list.
Columbus, the NHL’s 19th-ranked offense averaging three goals per game, missed the playoffs for the sixth straight year.
The Avalanche received a 2026 second-round pick that originated with St. Louis, passed through Pittsburgh, and landed with Columbus.

Summary

Nichushkin Praised

Don Waddell, Columbus Blue Jackets GM, praised Nichushkin as a strong forward who skates well and scores.
The 31-year-old Russian was drafted 10th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2013.
After seven Colorado seasons, he ranks fourth in franchise history for goals, points and shots.
He posted a 28-25-53 line in 54 games in 2023-24 and has 28 playoff points, with six power-play and four game-winning goals, in 91 games.

History

Historical Context

In July 2005 the NHL ended the 2004-05 lockout by adopting a hard $39 million salary cap per team, the first such limit in major North-American sports. The cap forced Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic to trade draft assets and keep Valeri Nichushkin’s extension under the ceiling, echoing the Dallas Stars’ 2013 draft-day selection and later Columbus trade that illustrate the post-cap emphasis on flexible assets.

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Sakic Trades Nichushkin

Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic traded Valeri Nichushkin to Columbus for a 2026 second-round, 2027 third-round and 2028 fifth-round pick.
Nichushkin posted 17 goals and 49 points in 72 games last season while earning $6.124 million.
Columbus will assume the final four years of Nichushkin’s eight-year, $49 million extension at $6.125 million per season.
The trade follows two earlier cost-cutting moves and leaves Colorado with 10 picks in the NHL draft.

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