NHL Buzz: Nichushkin out for Avalanche against Devils

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. The 2022-23 regular season is underway, and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

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Colorado Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin did not play for the Avalanche against the New Jersey Devils on Friday because of a lower-body injury.
The forward is tied for fourth in the NHL with 12 points (seven goals, five assists) and has a point in each of Colorado's seven games this season.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Nichushkin is day to day and will travel to Finland with the team.
After the game Friday, the Avalanche play at the New York Islanders on Saturday before traveling to Finland for the 2022 NHL Global Series against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 4 and 5.
Martin Kaut
replaced Nichushkin on the second line with forwards Alex Newhook and Evan Rodrigues.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jake Guentzel practiced with the Penguins at an optional morning skate but will not play at the Vancouver Canucks on Friday (10 p.m. ET; SN360, SN1, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The forward has missed the past three games after he was hit in the ear a shot from Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang in a 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 20.
"Not sure. No idea yet," Guentzel said if he could return on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. "I feel good. It's exciting to get back out there and take some contact and just be out there with the guys."
Guentzel, the left wing on the first line with Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell, has five points (three goals, two assists) in four games. He led Pittsburgh with 40 goals in 76 games last season, the second time he scored 40 in six NHL seasons.

Arizona Coyotes

Jakob Chychrun had a setback in his recovery from wrist surgery, and the Coyotes defenseman is considered week to week.
"He went to see his doctor in New York," general manager Bill Armstrong said Thursday. "We're going to treat him week to week and we'll just deal with it. He will rejoin the team as soon as he gets cleared and he will jump in and be in practice hopefully, but we're going to treat it week to week for him.
"We're excited to get him back in the lineup. He's a big piece for us."
Chychrun had wrist surgery in the offseason and hasn't played since March 12, when he sustained a season-ending ankle injury.
The 24-year-old had 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 47 games last season. He had 41 points in 56 games in 2020-21, including 18 goals to lead NHL defensemen. -- Dan Rosen

New York Rangers

Filip Chytil suffered a setback in practice Friday and will not travel with the Rangers for their two-game road trip this weekend.
The forward has missed two games with an upper-body injury sustained in the first period of a 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets on Oct. 23.
The Rangers visit the Dallas Stars on Saturday and the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday.
Forward Vitali Kravtsov could return after missing a 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders on Wednesday because of an upper-body injury.

Buffalo Sabres

Defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Henri Jokiharju were placed on injured reserve Thursday and each is expected to be out a few weeks.
Samuelsson, who signed a seven-year, $30 million contract ($4.29 million average annual value) on Oct. 12, sustained a lower-body injury in a 5-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. He has no points in five games this season.
"It's going to be a few weeks, but much better than maybe originally we thought," Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said. "So a few weeks and then we'll kind of go from there. He's going to be out some time, but not terrible."
Jokiharju was injured when a puck hit him in the face in a 6-3 win against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 20. He has missed the past two games and has one assist in four games this season.
"Little fracture that isn't actually overly changing his progress or anything," Adams said. "Good news on him is that he's feeling a lot better, he's progressing. … The fact that he's had a better day today is a good sign. You'll probably see day by day here, but [we'll] see if he gets back on the ice a little bit next week. Probably be more on a week-to-week range for him."
Buffalo recalled defensemen Lawrence Pilut and Kale Clague from Rochester of the American Hockey League. With two other defensemen in Rochester injured, the Sabres could make additional moves, if necessary.
"For the last two days, we've been looking at all options," Adams said. "What we won't do is make a big reaction-type move or emotional move. But if we think something makes sense that we could provide a little more depth for the organization, not at a cost where we're giving up assets or anything, then maybe's that's something we'll look to do." -- Heather Engel

Chicago Blackhawks

Tyler Johnson was placed on injured reserve with a left ankle injury.
The forward sustained the injury when he went awkwardly into the boards after a hit from Panthers center Aleksander Barkov during the third period of a 4-2 victory on Tuesday.
Johnson had played in all six Blackhawks games prior to a 6-5 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, and was their leading scorer with six points (two goals, four assists).
"Ankle sprains are kind of common nowadays, especially with the stiff boots and the skates they wear," Chicago coach Luke Richardson said before the game. "I saw the replay, and it's a big man that rolled over on him, so we're lucky that it's hopefully short term. He's playing so well too. We're going to miss him. It's definitely good news (that Johnson did not go on long-term IR) because it could have been worse."
Johnson underwent artificial disk replacement (ADR) surgery Dec. 3 before returning March 3.
"It's tough; he was playing so well," Blackhawks forward Sam Lafferty said. "He brings so much to the table for us, so much energy and so much skill. He scores, he makes plays, he hits. He does it all."-- Bruce Miles

Ottawa Senators

Mark Kastelic
signed a two-year, $1.67 million contract with the Senators on Thursday. It has an average annual value of $835,000.
"I kind of knew it was coming, but we got it finalized last night and I couldn't be more excited to be here for two more years after this season," Kastelic said Thursday. "I've been having so much fun so far and hopefully it's just the beginning. … Now that I've signed, I don't see anything changing. I'll just continue to put my head down and work and try to enjoy each day and earn every day out here."
The 23-year-old forward has two goals in seven games this season and is third in the NHL in face-off percentage (66.1 percent, minimum 50 face-offs). He is expected to take on a larger role with center Josh Norris sidelined long term with a shoulder injury.
"He's big, strong (6-foot-3, 233 pounds), obviously tough, but also his face-offs, he's responsible, and then his ability to hold onto pucks in the [offensive] zone, get on the forecheck," Senators coach D.J. Smith said. "His game has really improved. And I think as he gains more confidence he'll get better and better."
Selected by Ottawa in the fifth round (No. 125) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Kastelic has six points (four goals, two assists) in 23 games.
"Mark has worked tirelessly to earn all that has come his way since being a late round draft pick three years ago," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. "He's reliable, competitive, takes exceptional pride in his conditioning and routinely showcases a willingness to take on any challenge. He's set a very good example for the young players and prospects throughout the organization." -- Callum Fraser