There are going to be a couple of storylines to cover at the start of the 2025–26 season for the Colorado Avalanche. One of them will be Valeri Nichushkin, who will be ready to go at the start of the season. Last season, Nichushkin had to miss the first month of the season because he was in Stage Three of the Player Assistance Program. Now, the Russian looks primed and ready to go at the start of the season for the Avalanche.

Why Nichushkin seems ready

Over the last few weeks, players from the Avalanche have been meeting for informal practices at Family Sports Center. On September 8, Nichushkin skated for the first time with the rest of the players and showed some spark. Nichushkin immediately yelled at himself and slammed his stick on the boards because he was disappointed with how he performed in practice. On Monday, Nichushkin pulled a slick between the legs shot on a three versus three drill. He was in the zone and let the team know it.

How does this help the Avalanche?

When the forward is in the lineup, the Avalanche had a 29–12–2 record last season. When Nichushkin was out of the lineup, they had a 20–17–2 record. The former Dallas Star played only 43 regular season games, but tallied 21 goals and 13 assists. Teams have to adjust their strategies to the way he plays. He never lets up on the forecheck, making it so the opposition cannot take a break in their own zone. When he has the puck, he lowers his shoulder and drives to the net, so it is difficult to defend him.

Having Nichushkin at the start of the season with a healthy Gabriel Landeskog will do wonders for the team morale. Adding Artturi Lehkonen on the second line or Brock Nelson will make it a very dangerous line for the opposition. With the injuries that the Avalanche look like they may already be dealing with, they will need all the help they can get at the start of the season.