The Colorado Avalanche’s injury woes continue as head coach Jared Bednar revealed Wednesday that forward Valeri Nichushkin has suffered a setback in his recovery from a lower-body injury. Guerilla Sports' Jesse Montano shared a clip of Nichushkin skating with the rest of the team on Sunday and looking poised for a quick return.

The Colorado Avalanche should add Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall to the top-six ahead of the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline.

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has struggled to stay in the lineup this season. The 29-year-old missed the first 17 games due to a six-month ban that began in May for failing a drug test.

Nichushkin (lower body) participated in Sunday's practice and is inching toward being ready to return to the lineup, according to Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports. Nichushkin was a full participant in Sunday's session but left the ice early,

Nichushkin did appear to be getting close to returning before this setback. He has 11 goals and 17 points in 21 appearances in 2024-25. Nichushkin hasn't been in the lineup since Dec. 31, but when he is healthy, he serves in a top-six capacity and features on the first power-play unit.

Read the recent NHL news and rumors about Valeri Nichushkin for fantasy hockey. Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) has suffered a setback

The Avalanche have dealt with serious injuries to players all season. And Wednesday, the Avs revealed a veteran winger has suffered a setback in rehabilitating an injury.

Forward Valeri Nichushkin suffered a setback in his return from a lower-body injury and doesn’t figure to be back in the Colorado Avalanche lineup anytime soon.

Chris MacFarland pointed to Rantanen’s pending free agency and the club’s desire to get deeper after three years of being short in that department as reasons for the trade. The NHL’s salary cap ceiling, which is set at $88 million this year but is expected to rise — possibly significantly — in the next couple of seasons is also a factor.

The Colorado Avalanche will face the Boston Bruins in a Saturday Matinee. It will be a battle at the TD Garden as we share our NHL odds series and make an Avalanche-Bruins prediction and pick. The Avalanche are 13-10 in the past 23 games against the Bruins.

The Boston Bruins have been fighting the injury bug in recent games, while battling to remain among the playoff contenders with less than three months remaining in the regular season.