Tag: Valeri Nichushkin
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Big Val and Big Brock become big duo for Jared Bednar’s Avalanche | NHL Insider
Jared Bednar has a center-wing duo that every NHL coach dreams of having. This time we’re not talking about Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. With their big frames spanning nearly 13 feet and their sticks covering around 12 feet of ice, Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin have become a dream duo for Bednar. What coach…
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After ‘frustrating’ end to last season, Ross Colton playing his best hockey in Avalanche uniform | NHL Insider
In the blink of an eye last October, Ross Colton went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. “It sucked, honestly,” Colton told The Denver Gazette. What “sucked” was Colton breaking his foot after blocking a shot in the second period of a game on Oct. 28, 2024, against the Chicago Blackhawks.…
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Avalanche didn’t just survive without Valeri Nichushkin, they thrived
Whenever Valeri Nichushkin exits the Avalanche lineup, Jared Bednar is reminded of Colorado’s record discrepancy with and without the big man. No one has said a word to him about it over the last three weeks. That’s because this time it just didn’t matter. Nichushkin returned to the lineup Tuesday in Colorado’s 3-1 win over…
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Avalanche star Cale Makar searching for ways to break through on power play as NHL adjusts
Cale Makar leads all NHL defensemen in assists and points, and he’s just one goal off the lead in goal scoring. Imagine what his numbers would look like if the Avalanche could figure out their power play. It’s December, and the Avalanche are dominating the league almost in spite of their power play, which currently…
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‘Sticking with it’ pays off as Brock Nelson’s production with Avalanche starts to pick up
NASHVILLE — Points aren’t everything, but when you’re making $7.5 million per hockey season, it’s almost everything. Brock Nelson had just four points through the first 16 games for the Avalanche. Although coach Jared Bednar was happy with the forward’s play, the production wasn’t there and as the second-line center behind Nathan MacKinnon, there needs…
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Most of Avalanche adjusting to NHL dress code change while a few embrace it
Old habits die hard, and for a lot of Avalanche players, that’s been the case with the new dress code in the NHL. But not all of them. Although the new collective bargaining agreement for the NHL doesn’t technically take effect until September 2026, the league has implemented some of the agreed-upon changes a little…
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Sam Girard returns as Avalanche defense gets healthy to counter injuries up front
As one player returns to the lineup from injury, another exits. That’s just the way it works for the Colorado Avalanche. After missing over a month due to an upper-body injury, defenseman Sam Girard returned to the Avalanche lineup in Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Girard played just two games at the start…
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Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin to ‘miss some time’ due to lower-body injury
The Colorado Avalanche are rolling, but their train appears to have been derailed. Valeri Nichushkin, who carries the nickname “Chu Chu,” left Tuesday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period with what coach Jared Bednar characterized as a lower-body injury. The Avalanche held an optional skate Wednesday afternoon that only a few…
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Overtime struggles continue as Avalanche lose to Devils, drop fourth straight | 5 takeaways
Constantly having to chase the game is starting to catch up with the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche, yet again, were forced to come from behind to force overtime on Sunday afternoon in New Jersey, and just like the previous three games that went to extra time, they weren’t able to finish the job. Jack Hughes…
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‘Attention to detail’ earning Gavin Brindley more ice time with Avalanche | NHL Insider
Eight games into his Colorado Avalanche career, one thing is very apparent. Gavin Brindley has that dog in him. And that’s earning him a lot of trust with the coaching staff. Perhaps the toughest transition for young players to make coming out of Juniors or NCAA hockey to the NHL is realizing you aren’t the…