Valeri Nichushkin is on track to return to the Colorado Avalanche’s lineup. As initially reported by the colleague Graham Tiedtke, Avs’ coach Jared Bednar provided an encouraging update on Nichushkin’s return.
Nichushkin is all set to return on November 15 if everything goes as planned with his reinstatement. Unless there is some sort of setback, Nichushkin should be all set to hit the ice.
If that’s the case, the biggest question would be: Where does Valeri Nichushkin fit into the Colorado Avalanche’s lineup?
Does he immediately get into the top six? Do the Avs take it easy and gradually work him back into the lineup?
If current practice lines are any indication, Nichushkin could start in the bottom six and work his way up. Nichushkin has been rotating in and out of the fourth line with Chris Wagner, T.J. Tynan, and Nikita Prishchepov. However, it’s doubtful Nichushkin plays on the fourth line upon return.
Most likely, Nichushkin’s placement on the fourth line is more of a temporary thing as he gets back into playing shape. It’s worth pointing out that Nichushkin did not participate in the Avs’ training camp. As such, he still needs time to get acclimated to the team before hitting the ice at full speed.
Additionally, the Avs may want to consider sending Nichushkin to the Colorado Eagles on a conditioning stint. Doing so would allow Nichushkin to see real action in preparation for his season debut at the NHL level.
The right spot for Valeri Nichushkin in the Colorado Avalanche lineup
There’s no question that a healthy, productive Valeri Nichushkin should play in the top six. Assuming that Jonathan Drouin returns to the top line, that would leave Nichushkin a spot to play on the second line with Casey Mittelstadt and Artturi Lehkonen.
Now, there could be a case for Nichushkin to slide to the third line in order to give the bottom six a much-needed offensive jolt. For instance, Nichushkin could play on the line with Parker Kelly and one of Ivan Ivan or Nikolai Kovalenko.
While it would be hard to push Ivan or Kovalenko to the fourth line, adding Nichushkin on the third line could actually benefit the Avs from a matchup perspective. While opponents try to match up against the Avs’ top six, Nichushkin could feast on the opposition’s less talented defenders.
Such a situation could make life impossible for opposing coaches. In short, opponents would have to pick their poison. Does the opposition allow Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen to beat them? Do they allow the Mittelstadt line to go bonkers? Or, do they take their chances with Nichushkin on the third line?
When you think about it, the Avs’ lineup, when fully healthy, is a murderer’s row that opposing defenses will hate to play against.
Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter where the Avs play Nichushkin. He’s got the talent and skill to cause major damage no matter who he faces on the ice.