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The Blue Jackets are on the board with their first trade of the offseason, acquiring veteran winger Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche for three draft picks on June 25, a day before the 2026 NHL Draft.
Nichushkin, 31, was acquired for a 2026 second-round pick (43rd overall) plus the Blue Jackets’ 2027 third-round pick and 2028 fifth-round pick. The Russian winger has extensive experience playing a top-six role and has compiled 357 points on 154 goals and 203 assists in 627 career games for the Avalanche and Dallas Stars.

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) celebrates after the game against the Boston Bruins.
Nichushkin has also scored 41 career power-play goals, 24 game-winning goals and six short-handed goals while averaging 16:25 in ice time in his career. This past season, he contributed 17 goals, 32 assists and 49 points in 72 games with a +9 plus/minus rating in 17:44 per game of ice time.

“Valeri is a big, strong forward who skates exceptionally well, can score goals, win puck battles and doesn’t shy away from playing in the hard areas,” Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “He is an accomplished two-way player who competes at a high level and we are very excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family.”
patch Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets acquire Nichushkin from Colorado Avalanche
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