Blue Jackets Acquire Winger Valeri Nichushkin in a Trade with the Avalanche
Nichushkin has four years left on a $6.125 million cap hit after Columbus sent three draft picks to Colorado, the Blue Jackets said.
- On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired veteran winger Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
- Colorado general manager Joe Sakic executed the trade to clear salary cap space, as Nichushkin carries a $6.125 million cap hit over the next four years while managing recent off-ice challenges.
- Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell praised the 31-year-old, stating, "Valeri is a big, strong forward who skates exceptionally well, can score goals, win puck battles and doesn't shy away from playing in the hard areas."
- Joining a young roster, Nichushkin will slot into a top-six role alongside Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko, Sean Monahan, and Dmitri Voronkov to provide immediate veteran experience.
- Completed on the eve of the 2026 NHL Draft, this transaction marks Columbus's first major offseason move as the organization aims to address roster experience gaps before the upcoming season.
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Blue Jackets acquire F Valeri Nichushkin from Avs for 3 picks - Regional Media News
The Colorado Avalanche traded forward Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday in exchange for three draft picks, including one in this week's draft. Colorado received a 2026 second-round pick from Columbus as well as a 2027 third-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder. The 2026 pick is No. 43 overall and originally belonged to the St. Louis Blues before changing hands in a prior trade. Nichushkin, 31, spent the past seven seasons in…
Tribune Chronicle
Blue Jackets acquire Valeri Nichushkin in trade with Avalanche
The Columbus Blue Jackets made a big addition on the eve of the draft by acquiring do-it-all winger Valeri Nichushkin in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. The Blue Jackets sent the 43rd pick this weekend, a third-rounder next year and a fifth-rounder in 2028 to Colorado. “Valeri is a big, strong forward who skates exceptionally well, can score goals, win puck battles and doesn’t shy away from playing in the hard areas,” Columbus g…
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Blue Jackets acquire F Valeri Nichushkin from Avs for 3 picks
The Colorado Avalanche traded forward Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday in exchange for three draft picks, including one in this week's draft. Colorado received a 2026 second-round pick from Columbus as well as a 2027 third-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder. The 2026 pick is No. 43 overall and originally belonged to
Blue Jackets trade 3 draft picks to land Nichushkin — a Stanley Cup champion with 627 games of NHL experience
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets traded three draft picks to acquire right wing Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche, the team announced today.
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