The Colorado Avalanche remain without key forward Valeri Nichushkin, and that absence is going to continue for longer than expected.

The Colorado Avalanche have yet to have forward Valeri Nichuskin in their lineup in the calendar year of 2025. He hasn’t played since their 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on New Year’s Eve. He’s already missed six games,

The Avalanche have dealt with serious injuries to players all season. And Wednesday, the Avs revealed a veteran winger has suffered a setback in rehabilitating an injury.

Nichushkin (lower body) participated in Sunday's practice and is inching toward being ready to return to the lineup, according to Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports. Nichushkin was a full participant in Sunday's session but left the ice early,

There were so many players on the ice at Colorado Avalanche practice Monday that callup Jason Polin didn’t have a stall in the team’s locker room.

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has struggled to stay in the lineup this season. The 29-year-old missed the first 17 games due to a six-month ban that began in May for failing a drug test.

Nichushkin did appear to be getting close to returning before this setback. He has 11 goals and 17 points in 21 appearances in 2024-25. Nichushkin hasn't been in the lineup since Dec. 31, but when he is healthy, he serves in a top-six capacity and features on the first power-play unit.

The Boston Bruins have been fighting the injury bug in recent games, while battling to remain among the playoff contenders with less than three months remaining in the regular season.

Max Pacioretty was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 18, and missed his second game when the Maple Leafs lost 5-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. Initially, he was listed as day to day, but coach Craig Berube said Wednesday that the timeline has changed.

Miles Wood has more history with Mackenzie Blackwood than any other member of the Colorado Avalanche. They were teammates for part of one season in the AHL and five years in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils. They’ve been two of the best golfers on every team they’ve played on.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman just revealed some game changing injury news ahead of the Boston Bruins rematch with the Ottawa Senators