A promising start to Nichushkin's NHL career was slowed by injury.
The forward had 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 79 games as a rookie with the Dallas Stars in 2013-14 but sustained groin and hip injuries early the following season. He had hip surgery in November 2014 and was limited to eight games in 2014-15.
A promising start to Nichushkin's NHL career was slowed by injury.
The forward had 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 79 games as a rookie with the Dallas Stars in 2013-14 but sustained groin and hip injuries early the following season. He had hip surgery in November 2014 and was limited to eight games in 2014-15.
Nichushkin, selected with the No. 10 pick by the Stars in the 2013 NHL Draft, bounced back with 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 79 games in 2015-16. Following the season, he signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League.
In his second KHL stint -- he played 18 games for Chelyabinsk in 2012-13 -- Nichushkin scored 51 points (27 goals, 24 assists) in 86 games over two seasons for CSKA. He had nine points (three goals, six assists) in 19 Gagarin Cup Playoff games to help CSKA reach the KHL championship series.
Nichushkin returned to the Stars, who had retained his NHL rights, signing a two-year contract July 1, 2018.
Dallas bought out the final season of his contract June 30, 2019, and Nichushkin signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Aug. 19.Three seasons later he set NHL career highs in goals (25), assists (27) and points (52) in 62 regular-season games, and 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup after leading all players with four goals in the Stanley Cup Final that tied Joe Sakic and Alex Tanguay (2001) for the Colorado/Quebec Nordiques record of most in a championship series.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- Signed as a free agent by CSKA Moscow (KHL), September 20, 2016.
- Signed as a free agent by Colorado, August 19, 2019.
