$49 million Avs forward now on trade big board

The Colorado Avalanche could trade one of their biggest names and highest-paid forwards this offseason, according to The Athletic’s updated trade board.

Valeri Nichushkin ranked No. 14 on the site’s new list, which dropped Thursday. The ranking posts players “by how closely they demand watching, based on their potential impact and the current amount of buzz around them.” Meaning, it’s increasingly likely Nichushkin could be on the way out of Colorado.

The left-handed shot winger was signed after the Avs won the Stanley Cup for eight years and $49 million. Meaning he’s making $6.125 million through 2030. He also has a 12-team no-trade list, which would limit Colorado options.

He’s coming off an okay year where he scored 17 goals and tallied 49 points across 79 games. Last year he was just alright, too. But the prior three, he was about a point per game player. The Avs chose to ink Nichushkin to a deal that summer in 2022, and let Nazem Kadri walk. Nichushkin’s run ins with drugs cost him two separate playoff runs with Colorado while the team traded for Kadri this year just before the deadline.

Still, Nichushkin is a strong skater with size and skill. He’s on a decent contract and with the Avs up against it due to the coming mega extension for Cale Makar, the Russian forward could be a solid trade piece for Joe Sakic.