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Avalanche's new trade rumor involves Valeri Nichushkin, sparks Nazem Kadri speculation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Colorado Avalanche have been great all season, but that doesn't mean they can let Friday's NHL trade deadline pass them by.
It's time to make the necessary improvements to ensure this stellar regular season doesn't go to waste, and the latest rumors suggest that could involve Valeri Nichushkin.
Avalanche reporter Adrian Dater wrote on X, "I’m hearing that Val Nichushkin might suddenly be in play as #Avs trade piece."
That's not a name that has been thrown around very much, and it'd be a fascinating choice for the Avalanche.
Nichushkin was once one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the NHL, and he's just turning 31 on his birthday on Wednesday.
MORE: Maple Leafs getting help from Flyers to trade veteran center
This season, though, he has just 12 goals in 51 games, to go along with 24 assists for 36 points. Some Avalanche fans have been frustrated with his play for most of the season. He's certainly not at the level he once was.
This is Nichushkin's seventh season with the Avalanche, for whom he has 126 of his 149 career NHL goals (the other 23 with the Dallas Stars).
The Nichushkin rumor is fascinating as well for what it means beyond just parting ways with a trusted player. Because of his sizable salary, it suggests a certain type of trade return.
In this case, fans are reading into this and thinking it means Nazem Kadri. The center for the Calgary Flames has been a much-rumored trade target, and he'd certainly make sense on the Avalanche roster.
The Flames would have room to take Nichushkin's salary aboard, and while he doesn't add much value to them necessarily, if they can get another asset with him for Kadri, it could still be worth it.
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