Forward Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche is facing a setback in his recovery from a lower-body injury, with coach Jared Bednar stating that his status is now deemed week-to-week. Nichushkin had recently practiced with the team and appeared close to returning, yet he was unable to complete the session. Teammate Mikko Rantanen empathized with Nichushkin, recognizing the mental challenges associated with rehabilitation and setbacks. This marks a significant concern for the Avalanche as Nichushkin plays a critical role in their offense, having tallied 11 goals and six assists in just 21 games this season.

Nichushkin, who also faced a six-month suspension last May and missed the first 17 games of this season, has not played since New Year’s Eve. The Avalanche have historically performed better with him in the lineup, boasting a 209-74-27 record with him on the ice. Teammate Logan O’Connor highlighted the difficulty of pushing recovery too quickly, which can lead to setbacks like Nichushkin's recent one. The Avalanche will need to navigate this absence as they prepare to face off against the Winnipeg Jets.