Grading the Blue Jackets’ Trade for Avalanche’s Nichushkin

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look quite different next season, as they are expected to lose several pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), and have been active on the trade front.

On Thursday (Jun. 25), they acquired Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche, adding some extra scoring help that could be lost this offseason. In exchange, the Avalanche brought back a second-round pick in 2026, a third-round pick in 2027, and a fifth-round pick in 2028.

WELCOME TO THE 614! 💥

We've acquired Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 2nd-RD pick, a 2027 3rd-RD pick, and a 2028 5th-RD pick!

Full details: https://t.co/iErrPuAA5K

CBJ x @OHHeartofitAll pic.twitter.com/ErDuefP0EZ

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) June 25, 2026

Nichushkin, who is 31 years old, has a $6,125,000 cap hit and is extended through the 2029-30 season. Last season, he scored 17 goals and added 32 assists for 49 points through 72 games. Through 627 career games, he has scored 154 goals and added 203 assists for 357 points.

“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’ general manager Don Waddell said. He continued, “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.”

In this article, we take a quick look at grades for both the Blue Jackets and Avalanche. The Avalanche were able to clear up some cap space and add draft capital, while the Blue Jackets were able to add some much-needed scoring depth up front.

Blue Jackets Add Solid Forward

Nichushkin isn’t a player that takes you from a fringe playoff team to a contender, but he is a good addition to any team looking to bolster their middle-six forward group. He is on a solid contract, and considering the liklelihood that they could lose several forwards to free agency this summer, this is some tidy work from Waddell and the Blue Jackets.

Valeri Nichushkin, acquired by CBJ, is a top six two-way winger who still has a lot to give when he's available. pic.twitter.com/bk3UDSGFl5

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 25, 2026

Giving up three draft picks might seem like a steep price, but they didn’t part with a first-round pick, and considering they filled a need, this is a solid deal for them.

Nichushkin provides a solid all-around game, and could be someone who gets a look in their top-six forward group out of the gates.

Draft picks have value, but moving a second, third, and fifth-round pick for somebody who is a proven NHL player is smarter than trying to find diamonds in the rough later on in the draft.

Solid work by the Blue Jackets.

Blue Jackets Grade: B+

Avalanche Clear Cap Space

This is a simple deal for the Avalanche. They needed to clear cap space, and that’s exactly what they did.

Bringing in some extra draft capital, while doing exactly what they needed to do in freeing up money to spend elsewhere, is tidy work from the Avalanche.

Obviously, they are losing a solid player in Nichushkin, and could’ve gotten a little more in any other offseason, but this is a cap clearing move. Being able to bring back a little extra draft capital, considering the situation they were in, and the lack of leverage they had, is a solid job by the Avalanche.

Avalanche Grade: C+

Out of the gates, this seems like a win for the Blue Jackets, but time will tell. The Avalanche seemingly have a plan to spend some money this offseason, and we will see what moves they make to replace Nichushkin, and try to build a championship team heading into next season.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news, updates, and more from around the NHL and the hockey world.