According to reports, the Colorado Avalanche have agreed to a long-term extension with forward Valeri Nichushkin. In fact, per Pierre LeBrun, it’s the longest extension the team is permitted to sign him to, an eight-year contract. Peter Baugh is also on top of the story writing, “I can confirm that Valeri Nichushkin is returning to Colorado on an eight-year deal.” The deal is worth $6.125M per season.
After a breakout season in which he scored 25 goals and 52 points in the regular season, then added nine goals and 15 points in 20 playoff games, it was clear the Avs had made Nichushkin a priority this offseason. He is an elite two-way winger who offers the Avs size, speed, forechecking, and skill. What kind of deal he was going to get was anyone’s guess, but the eight years might come as a surprise to some. Nichushkin was great, but this signing indicates the team believes he has a lot more in his game.
Elliotte Friedman did note during the playoffs that the Avalanche knew Nichsushkin liked Colorado. That he’s signed for eight years backs that up. He came from a situation in Dallas where he didn’t play well and eventually was dumped, only to sign a low-cost contract with Colorado. It was then he exploded offensively while also turning in some great underlying numbers that made him an analytic darling. His team-friendly deal with Colorado for $850K was a huge reason the Avs were able to win the Stanley Cup this season. He’s been rewarded with what some might see as a bit of an overpayment, but if he keeps progressing, the Avs will have signed a valuable asset that will be a part of the organization until 2029-30.
Questions about whether he can live up to this contract will begin immediately. This is a player who went from scoring no goals to getting close to $50 million. That’s a big change.
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