The Colorado Avalanche have traded forward Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a trio of draft picks, according to a team announcement on June 25, 2026. The deal sends Nichushkin, 31, to Columbus as part of a roster shakeup.
The Avalanche received a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fourth-round pick in the trade. Nichushkin had been with Colorado since 2019, scoring 15 goals and 22 assists in 54 games during the 2025-26 season.
Nichushkin, a native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, was originally drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2013. He has 131 goals and 168 assists in 598 career NHL games. The Blue Jackets are expected to add him to their forward lineup for the upcoming season.
