Incident Overview
In a concerning turn of events, Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was involved in a car accident while en route to the practice facility on Monday. As a safety precaution, he did not participate in the team’s 5-2 victory against the Washington Capitals. Head coach Jared Bednar provided updates post-game, confirming that Nichushkin had been examined and sustained minor injuries, stating,
“everything seems to be OK, just not good enough to play tonight.”
He added that the icy roads from a recent snowfall contributed to the multi-vehicle incident but did not elaborate on the specifics, only mentioning that it was a fender bender serious enough to keep Nichushkin sidelined for the game.
Season Challenges
This incident marks another setback for the 30-year-old, who previously missed eight games this season due to a lower-body injury. While he has scored 11 goals and registered 16 assists this season, his off-ice issues culminated in a six-month suspension announced in May 2024, during the playoffs—a time when Nichushkin was unavailable due to circumstances outside of hockey. This limitation has overshadowed his performance, despite still managing 21 goals last season, which ranked him fifth on the team.
Team Adjustments
With Nichushkin unable to play, the Avalanche quickly called upon Alex Barré-Boulet from their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Barré-Boulet made a swift trip from Loveland, approximately 60 miles away, and contributed with an assist on the opening goal scored by Parker Kelly, marking his first NHL point since the 2023-24 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Current Team Status
The Avalanche, currently with a stellar record of 34-5-8, are already dealing with injuries to several key players, including Gabriel Landeskog and Devon Toews. Forward Logan O’Connor is also on the list due to recovery from hip surgery. Meanwhile, Nathan MacKinnon showcased his scoring ability during the match against the Capitals, netting two goals and reaching an impressive career milestone of 1,100 points, second only to Hall of Famer Joe Sakic in franchise history. Bednar praised MacKinnon, indicating he shows no signs of slowing down:
“He’s had a hell of a career to this point.”
Conclusion
This incident is just one of several challenges facing the Avalanche as they aim to maintain their strong performance while navigating injuries and unexpected situations.
AP NHL:
