The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has re-signed forward Valeri Nichushkin to a two-year contract through the 2021-22 season.Nichushkin, 25, tallied 27 points (13g/14a) in 65 games for Colorado this season, his first with the Avs after being signed as a free agent on Aug. 19, 2019. His 13 goals were one shy of his career high set during his rookie season with the Dallas Stars in 2013-14, and Nichushkin finished with a career-best +26 plus/minus rating, which ranked second on the Avalanche and tied for eighth in the NHL. Only three NHL forwards posted a higher plus/minus rating: Artemi Panarin (+36), Anthony Cirelli and Brayden Point (both +28). Nikita Kucherov tied Nichushkin at +26. The Chelyabinsk, Russia, native recorded a career-best three game-winning goals and scored his first career shorthanded marker on Dec. 4 at Toronto.In the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nichushkin registered three points (2g/1a) in 15 contests, reaching career … Read more at NHL.com
