Nichushkin, 31, has four years left on his current deal and a 12-team no-trade list. Chris Tanouye / Freestyle Photography / Getty ImagesJune 25, 2026 Updated 4:45 pm EDTThe Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, according to league sources.Nichushkin, 31, had 283 points in 404 games over seven seasons with the Avalanche and was a key member of their 2022 Stanley Cup win. He signed an eight-year, $6.125 million average annual value extension after that season. He has four years left on that deal and a 12-team no-trade list.Nichushkin gives the Blue Jackets’ top-six a boost in several areas: speed, which they desperately need, but also size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) and scoring.
He’s a bona fide 20-goal scorer, and will likely have a chance to play on the top line with young center Adam Fantilli and right winger Kirill Marchenko, or on the second line with veteran center Sean Monahan and either Conor Garland, Kent Johnson or Dmitri Voronkov.“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,” Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “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.”Drafted by Dallas with the No. 10 pick in 2013, Nichushkin failed to stick with the Stars, going to his native Russia for two seasons and ultimately getting bought out after the 2018-19 season. He revitalized his career with the Avalanche, working his way up the lineup until he was a two-way force in a top-six role. He appeared on Selke ballots in four of his seven seasons with the team, and his point production peaked in 2023-24, when he had 28 goals and 53 points in 54 games. During Colorado’s Stanley Cup run, Nichushkin had nine goals and 15 points in 20 games.This story will be updated.Jun 25, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
