As if the injury bug could not get worse for the defending Stanley Cup Champions. In addition to Gabriel Landeskog being out for three months, another big-time winger will miss time. Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin will be out for a month after having ankle surgery. Having two of your top six wingers are not ideal, but they can weather the storm. It was also announced the defenceman Bowen Byram is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Valeri Nichushkin Out With Ankle Injury
Jared Bednar: Valeri Nichushkin had ankle surgery and is out a month. Bowen Byram is week-to-week (lower body) and Samuel Girard is day-to-day.
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) November 8, 2022
This is not the best news for the Avalanche. Thankfully it is not long-term, and he will return at the beginning of December. Colorado is currently 6-4-1 and sit third in the Central Division, and are 7th in the Western Conference. After what appeared to be a slow start, now sees the team is heading in the right direction.
The Impact Of Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin is impactful when in the lineup. Last year was a career year for him, and it earned him an eight-year extension. This season he has picked up where he left off. In only seven games played, he has scored seven goals, five assists, and 12 points (still good for fourth on the team). Nichushkin helps lead the league’s best power play in goals (5) and has two points-killing penalties. Using his big body and playing the power forward perfectly, his presence will be missed.
How The Avalanche Can Overcome It
Losing Nichushkin is big, but it is not the end of the world. Nathan MacKinnon still leads the team alongside Mikko Rantanen. Aside from this two, Arturri Lehkonen will see an increased role as well as Logan O’Connor. On the back end, the group boasts offensive talent with Cale Makar, Devon Toews and Samuel Girard.
The biggest thing for the Avalanche going forward is the play of Alexandar Georgiev. He owns a 6-1-1 record, 2.61 goals-against average, and a .925 save percentage. Georgiev ranks fifth in goals saved above expected with 5.7. He will be leaned on heavily in the absence of Nichushkin.
