The Colorado Avalanche are remaining busy on the NHL trade front, as they have traded a prominent winger, Valeri Nichushkin, to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick (43rd overall from St. Louis via Pittsburgh), a 2027 third-round draft pick, and a 2028 fifth-round draft pick. Let us break down the trade.
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We have acquired a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick in the NHL Draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Valeri Nichushkin. pic.twitter.com/wjNxpsZscA
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 25, 2026
Avalanche Trade Valeri Nichushkin to Columbus for Three Draft Picks
The Blue Jackets are getting a top-six calibre forward in Nichushkin. The Russian forward scored 17 goals and 32 assists for 49 points in 72 games last season. The 31-year-old has spent the last seven seasons in Colorado, including the 2022 Stanley Cup Championship season, recording 283 points in 404 games in the process. He is signed until 2030, at a $6.125 million cap hit per season.
“Valeri is a big, strong forward who skates exceptionally well, can score goals, win puck battles and doesn’t shy away from playing in the hard areas,” said Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell. “He is an accomplished two-way player who competes at a high level and we are very excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family.”
Colorado Did Not Net A Huge Return, More Moves Incoming?
The return for Colorado includes a second, third, and fifth-round draft pick, in the next three years, respectively, which, for what other players have netted in this offseason period, does not seem like that much. The Blue Jackets do own the 14th-overall pick, but Waddell was able to avoid sending the first-round pick in exchange for Nichushkin. For a player who will likely slot in on the top line for the Blue Jackets next season, that is good value for them.
With the large amounts of draft picks that the team is stockpiling, could there be more moves ahead, as Joe Sakic looks to get the team to contend for the Stanley Cup in 2027, after falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in the conference finals?
Main Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
