Forward Valeri Nichushkin is facing a delay in his comeback from a lower-body injury, and it seems he won’t be rejoining the Colorado Avalanche lineup in the immediate future.


On Wednesday, Colorado coach Jared Bednar characterized Nichushkin’s condition as being “week-to-week.”


“Losing Val for any duration is concerning for us. At this point, we don’t have an exact timeline for his return,” Bednar stated following the morning skate as the Avalanche geared up to face the Winnipeg Jets that evening. “Whenever a player has a setback, the recovery process requires you to start from scratch and rebuild from the ground up.”


Nichushkin appeared to be on the verge of returning after participating in practice on Sunday, but he was unable to complete the entire training session.


“It’s frustrating. I’ve gone through similar situations,” said forward Mikko Rantanen, referring to the challenges of dealing with injuries and setbacks. “You feel you’re making progress and then suddenly something happens. The mental aspect can be the most difficult. While the rehab process is essential, the psychological toll is tough too. That’s a significant part of what I recall from my own experience. He’s a seasoned player, so I have confidence he’ll be back.”


Nichushkin was placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and received a suspension last May that lasted for at least six months. This announcement came during a critical phase of Colorado’s playoff journey, marking the second consecutive postseason where he has been unavailable due to off-ice issues.


The 29-year-old forward had missed the first 17 games of the season, making his debut on November 15 against Washington, where he recorded 11 goals and six assists in 21 games.


Since the last time he played on New Year’s Eve, Nichushkin has left a notable gap in the Avalanche’s dynamic offense. Statistically, Colorado has a record of 209-74-27 with him in the lineup.


“Everyone wants to play and contribute,” expressed forward Logan O’Connor. “Sometimes you might push yourself to return sooner than advisable, and that can lead to a setback. It’s just part of the process. It serves as motivation to return and support teammates. It’s unfortunate for Val.”