The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired forward Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in a trade that occurred on the eve of the draft. The transaction involved the Blue Jackets sending three draft picks to Colorado: the 43rd pick in the upcoming draft, a third-round pick for next year, and a fifth-round pick in 2028.
Don Waddell, the general manager for Columbus, commented on the acquisition, describing Nichushkin as a “big, strong forward who skates exceptionally well.” Waddell highlighted Nichushkin’s ability to score goals, win puck battles, and play in challenging areas of the ice. He further characterized Nichushkin as an accomplished two-way player known for competing at a high level, expressing excitement about welcoming him to the Blue Jackets.
Nichushkin’s Performance and Contract Details
Nichushkin played a significant role in the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory, scoring nine goals during that playoff run. He notably played in the clinching Game 6 of the final despite a broken right foot. When active, he has been considered one of the team’s most effective players.
However, the 31-year-old Russian player has faced challenges with consistent availability. He experienced off-ice issues that led to him being sidelined during the playoffs in 2023 and 2024. The 2024 instance involved an indefinite suspension, which occurred after he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in January of that year.
Nichushkin’s contract has four more seasons remaining, carrying a salary cap hit of $6.125 million. Moving Nichushkin provides the Avalanche with salary cap flexibility. This space may be necessary for a potential long-term extension for defenceman Cale Makar. Joe Sakic has returned as the general manager for Colorado, following Chris MacFarland‘s departure to Nashville.
Other Notable League Transactions
In other league news, the Florida Panthers made a move to bolster their roster by acquiring Garnet Hathaway from the Philadelphia Flyers. This trade is expected to address the potential departure of A.J. Greer, who is anticipated to enter free agency. Florida sent a fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft and a fourth-round pick next year to Philadelphia for the 34-year-old winger. Hathaway has one season left on his contract, with a salary cap hit of $2.4 million.
Hathaway joins the Panthers after the team recently traded for Brady Tkachuk, uniting him with his brother Matthew. The Panthers missed the playoffs after winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2024 and 2025. Greer, who is 29, played a key depth role in the second of those championship runs and could be a sought-after player when he becomes available on Wednesday.
The Washington Capitals also made a transaction, sending restricted free agent forward Hendrix Lapierre to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In exchange, the Penguins traded a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick for the 24-year-old. Lapierre, who had not fully realized his potential with the team that drafted him, may benefit from a change of scenery. Washington’s move followed their earlier additions of Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch through trades.
With the first round of the draft scheduled for Friday night, further trading activity is expected. Doug Armstrong, general manager for the Blues, indicated that their trade of Kyrou to the Capitals for Connor McMichael, the 16th pick, and a prospect, allows other teams to assess their positions for potential deals. Armstrong noted that his team holds a league-high four first-round picks. The Toronto Maple Leafs, according to John Chayka, listened to offers for the first pick but decided to retain it, with expectations that they will select Gavin McKenna from Penn State.
The San Jose Sharks are also a team to watch, having traded forward William Eklund, whose contract is controlled through 2029, to Ottawa for the No. 9 pick. This gives the Sharks another top-ten pick in addition to their No. 2 pick. General Manager Mike Grier mentioned that teams were curious about their plans for the No. 9 pick and that there were multiple calls regarding both the No. 9 and No. 2 picks, with one offer for the No. 2 pick being particularly interesting for consideration.
Cap Considerations and Potential Moves
The Avalanche’s intensifying salary cap situation is a factor in these transactions. The Nashville Predators‘ general manager, Chris MacFarland, who previously worked with Colorado, is reportedly taking advantage of his former club’s need to shed salary. This situation has led to speculation about further potential deals involving the Avalanche.
One perspective suggests that targeting Nichushkin could provide the Predators with a high-impact offensive presence. The Avalanche’s need for cap relief is a clear motivation behind their recent moves.
The Predators could consider offering Nicklaus Perbix as a main roster piece to the Avalanche, along with draft capital. This could include a second-round pick in 2028, which Nashville holds from the Minnesota Wild, and a 2029 third-round pick, which they hold from the Avalanche. Additional assets like Ozzy Wiesblatt or another second-round pick from the Wild’s current draft could also be included in a trade package.
The acquisition of Nichushkin could be a strategic move for Nashville, especially if the team plans to move on from veteran forwards like Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly. The trade of Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets was confirmed on Thursday.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
