The Blue Jackets made a major trade Thursday in the leadup to the NHL draft, acquiring right wing Valeri Nichushkin from Colorado for a trio of draft picks, including the team’s second-round pick in this season’s draft.
The move should bolster Columbus up front, as in 72 outings this past season, Nichushkin collected 17 goals and 32 assists for 49 points and was plus-9 while averaging 17:44 time on ice.
The instant reaction: Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell spoke multiple times this offseason – including Thursday – about adding to the team’s scoring punch, and he’s found a wing who has been in the top six for an elite Colorado team for the past few seasons when healthy. Nichushkin brings size (6-4, 210) to the table, is a plus player in all three zones and is able to play in all situations, making the Blue Jackets a better team today. In addition, Columbus was able to add him without trading a roster player or a first-round draft pick, a nifty trick considering the returns for some deals across the NHL.
Nichushkin’s numbers: Now 31, the Chelyabinsk, Russia, native has played 627 NHL games over 11 seasons, totaling 154 goals and 203 assists for 357 points. His production has reached a new level over the past five seasons in Colorado, though, as Nichushkin has posted a 108-127-235 line in 284 games, an average of 31 goals, 37 assists and 68 points per 82 games in that time. Nichushkin has finished in the top 25 of the Selke voting four times, showing he brings defensive impact to the table, and he’s a combined plus-61 over the past five campaigns. He was a regular member of the Avs’ power play and penalty kill the during his time in Denver, earning notice as one of the top PK forwards in the league.
Postseason success: In addition to his regular season accolades, he was a key part of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup win, posting nine goals and 15 points in 20 games. Nichushkin was at his best in the Stanley Cup Final, leading all scorers with four goals and adding two assists for six points in six contests. Two seasons later, he was a menace in the postseason, scoring nine times in eight games in 2024, including a hat trick in one contest and a seven-game goal scoring streak to begin the playoffs. If the Blue Jackets reach their stated goal of making it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nichushkin will bring experience with 91 career postseason games under his belt.
The impact: The Blue Jackets wanted to improve up front and now are able to do so without costing themselves major assets. Nichushkin is getting older and has battled injuries, but his offensive production has been impressive the past five seasons, he’s defensively reliable, and he brings a manageable salary cap hit of $6.125 million per year through the 2029-30 season. He's averaged just 57 games per season the past five years, but when he’s healthy, Nichushkin is capable of adding to the offense in a second-line role without compromising the defensive side of the ice.
What’s next: There was some uncertainty what would happen with the team’s top nine given the fact Mason Marchment is among those set to enter free agency, and Nichushkin adds depth up front as Marchment hits the open market. In addition to the skills and ability to play in all situations that Nichushkin brings to the table, the Blue Jackets were able to keep their first-round pick in the deal, giving them flexibility to make other moves if they so desire or to just keep the selection and add to the prospect pool when the draft begins Friday night. Time will tell if any other big moves are in the offing, but the Blue Jackets added a big forward who can do a lot of things and also has postseason experience on Thursday afternoon.
