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Will Valeri Nichushkin start slow for Colorado Avalanche in 2023-24?

By Graham Tiedtke

Apr 20, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) controls the puck ahead of Seattle Kraken right wing Daniel Sprong (91) in the third period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) controls the puck ahead of Seattle Kraken right wing Daniel Sprong (91) in the third period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Avalanche were without one of their stars, Valeri Nichushkin, for a significant 29 regular season games during the 2022-23 season. He then missed the team’s only playoff series all due to a personal matter. By the way, despite some specifics that have come out regarding that situation, Nichushkin doesn’t appear to be facing any sort of discipline.

That being said, I think it is fair to question whether or not Nichushkin will start slow for the Colorado Avalanche this season. Last year, he went a couple of stretches without scoring a goal but put up decent time on ice numbers. From December 9th against the New York Rangers through January 18 against Calgary, he went without scoring a single goal.

He then went from January 21 through February 15 without scoring a goal.

With Nichushkin missing the amount of time that he did, and with the additions the Colorado Avalanche have made this season, could we see the team feature the new guys a little bit extra while Nichushkin gets his feet wet again and puts the past behind him?

Nichushkin is obviously a big playmaker for the Colorado Avalanche. I’m not trying to stir the pot of any sort of controversy. I just wonder how long it will take for Nichushkin to be himself again. Will he take about a month? Not as long? Longer? Maybe he will be perfectly fine and ready to go.

I guess we will see what happens in the coming weeks. Maybe Nichushkin will find a groove early on and fit in well with his linemates.

Whatever happens in the upcoming season, I am just glad that his personal issue appears to be in the past. He can put it aside and focus on helping the Colorado Avalanche try to head back to the Stanley Cup finals.

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