Valeri
Nichushkin
R · CBJ · Two-way · Excellent
- PAL
- 83
- WAR
- 0.7
- Value
- 71
- PTS
- 49
2025-26№ 207 / 615
Valeri Nichushkin (Columbus Blue Jackets) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Valeri Nichushkin
#43RPlays: Right wing · 1% of faceoffs
Columbus Blue Jackets
HEIGHT : 193 cm · WEIGHT : 98 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : March 3, 1995 · Chelyabinsk, Russia
Drafted : 2013 · DAL · round 1, pick #10
Contract : $6,125,000 · 2022-23 → 2029-30 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFANMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 15 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 72 | 17 | 32 | 49 | 26 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 43 | 21 | 13 | 34 | 8 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 54 | 28 | 25 | 53 | 22 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 53 | 17 | 30 | 47 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 62 | 25 | 27 | 52 | 14 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 55 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 4 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 65 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 14 |
| 2018-19 | Dallas Stars | 57 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2015-16 | Dallas Stars | 79 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 12 |
| 2014-15 | Dallas Stars | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2013-14 | Dallas Stars | 79 | 14 | 20 | 34 | 8 |
| NHL totals | 642 | 156 | 209 | 365 | 114 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 12 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 8 | 9 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 20 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 8 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 15 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2018-19 | Dallas Stars | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015-16 | Dallas Stars | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2013-14 | Dallas Stars | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Playoff totals | 91 | 28 | 15 | 43 | 26 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cuponce · 2021-22
Valeri Nichushkin: our analysis
2025-26 season: 72 GP, 17 G, 32 A, 49 PTS, +9 +/-, 17:44 TOI. WAR 0.7 (207th of 615) · PAL 83, excellent.
In 2025-26, Valeri Nichushkin, 31, posts a PAL Rating of 83 out of 100 (excellent), and his WAR of 0.7 ranks 207th among 615 regulars, in the top half.
His strengths: possession (93, among the best in the league), penalty kill (92, among the best in the league) and creation (82, well above average).
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+3.3); his biggest cost: finishing (-5.4).
A clear step forward: his PAL went from 65 in 2024-25 to 83; his WAR, though, went from 0.7 to 0.7.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 71 (good value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Valeri Nichushkin's story
Raised in Tcheliabinsk’s development system, Nichushkin progressed through the Belye Medvedi in the MHL before making his KHL debut at 17 with Traktor. Early exposure to high-level competition came quickly: he was part of Traktor’s run to the 2013 Gagarin Cup final, an early indicator of his readiness for pro hockey.
Selected 10th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Nichushkin opted to pursue an NHL career after a brief KHL stint and a move to Dynamo Moscow. He played his first NHL game on October 3, 2013, and scored his first league goal on November 3. His rookie campaign produced solid numbers and set expectations for a swift development into a top-six winger.
Contract talks with Dallas stalled after his entry-level deal, prompting a return to Russia in 2016; his KHL rights were transferred to CSKA Moscow, where he signed for two seasons. Nichushkin returned to Dallas on July 1, 2018, signing a two-year deal, but a difficult 2018–19 season led to the Stars buying out the remainder of his contract on June 30, 2019.
Colorado signed him to a one-year deal in August 2019, and he re-established himself with the Avalanche. Known for strong defensive metrics as well as offensive contributions, he finished 2019–20 with 13 goals and 27 points. A two-year extension followed in October 2020. In 2021–22 he posted a career-high 52 points in 62 games and played a key role in Colorado’s playoff run that ended with the team winning the Stanley Cup.
Nichushkin’s game blends size and speed with a clear defensive awareness; he is as comfortable applying forecheck pressure and defensive coverage as he is finishing scoring chances. That versatility — able to slot into top-six roles and contribute without the puck — defines his value to NHL clubs.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 16:44
- PP TOI/GP
- 1:14
- SH TOI/GP
- 1:26
- Pts/GP
- 0.53
- EV points
- 6
- Hits
- 27
- Blocks
- 12
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 49.3 %
- Off. zone starts
- 37.7 %
- Faceoffs
- 33.3 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
42between 23 and 61 (80% range)
- Goals
- 13
- Assists
- 29
- Games
- 69
So far: 8 pts in 15 games. The team has played 15 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.63 pts per game (last season: 0.68).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.98 in 23-24, 0.68 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 65 → 83
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 31: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 81 %
86
High-end
- SK
- Skating
- 92
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 78
- Confidence 84 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 85
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 67
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 71
- Confidence 84 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 68
- Confidence 58 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 82
- Confidence 84 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 79
- Confidence 81 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 82
- Confidence 81 %
- DF
- Defense
- 73
- Confidence 77 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 93
- Confidence 52 %
- EX
- Experience
- 89
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating92
- Top speed (35 %)37.4 · 94
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)7.945 · 85
- Distance /60 (20 %)16.9 · 95
- Speed consistency (15 %)36.8 · 95
ST — Strength78
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.354 · 67
- Body mass (50 %)1.036 · 86
EN — Endurance85
- Ice time per game (45 %)17.3 · 87
- Total ice time (20 %)1,230 · 79
- Shift length (15 %)46.7 · 78
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)16.4 · 86
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)3.681 · 90
DU — Durability67
- Share of games played (100 %)0.758 · 67
CK — Checking71
- Hits /60 (70 %)3.552 · 71
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)3.06 · 72
- Season volume (10 %)4.025 · 72
FG — Fighting68
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.726 · 68
DI — Discipline82
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.042 · 81
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.436 · 86
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.685 · 70
PA — Passing79
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.661 · 74
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.744 · 89
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.153 · 81
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.805 · 65
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.425 · 72
SC — Scoring82
- Goals /60 (25 %)1.054 · 80
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)1.045 · 84
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.38 · 65
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)2.017 · 88
- xG per shot (10 %)0.085 · 87
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)15.3 · 79
DF — Defense73
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.018 · 72
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.081 · 69
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.53 · 80
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.062 · 84
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.418 · 77
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)59.9 · 66
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)2.246 · 74
PS — Penalty shot93
- Shootouts (60 %)37.9 · 94
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience89
- Career regular-season games (65 %)91
- Career playoff games (25 %)85
- NHL seasons (10 %)90
OV — Overall86
- SC · Scoring (28 %)82
- PA · Passing (22 %)79
- DF · Defense (18 %)73
- SK · Skating (12 %)92
- EN · Endurance (8 %)85
- DI · Discipline (5 %)82
- ST · Strength (4 %)78
- CK · Checking (3 %)71
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 86 | 92 | 82 | 73 |
| 2024-25 | 87 | 92 | 89 | 63 |
| 2023-24 | 93 | 89 | 89 | 70 |
| 2022-23 | 88 | 87 | 80 | 76 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
0.7
wins above replacement
207 of 615
PAL Rating
83/ 100
Performance · Excellent
73 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
71/ 100
Good value
6.13 M$ · expected PAL 67
ProfileTwo-wayStrong at both ends
- Offense
- 72
- Defense
- 83
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 56
- Creation
- 82
- Shooting
- 53
- Possession
- 93
- Defense
- 55
- Discipline
- 81
- Power play
- 70
- Penalty kill
- 92
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 0.7 | 83 | 71 | 6.13 M$ |
| 2024-25 | COL | 0.7 | 65 | 41 | 6.13 M$ |
| 2023-24 | COL | 1.7 | 88 | 76 | 6.13 M$ |
| 2022-23 | COL | 0.7 | 85 | 66 | 6.13 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
93/ 100
Elite
better than 93% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
80/ 100
Very good
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
89/ 100
Very good
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Why 93, higher than both scores? Overall IQ isn't an average, it's a rank: 28 of 424 forwards. Few players are good at both ends at once; being so puts Valeri Nichushkin ahead of almost everyone else.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 55
- Shot selection
- 67
- Penalties drawn
- 69
- Puck management
- 82
Defense
- Takeaways
- 49
- Discipline
- 82
- Safe zone exits
- 87
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 93 | 80 | 89 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 71 | 67 | 65 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 83 | 83 | 60 |
| 2022-23 | COL | 92 | 69 | 94 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.7
wins above replacement
-0.4 to 2.1 — 90% interval
207 of 615 forwards
+3.7 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +3.3
- EV defense
- -0.1
- Power play
- +1.1
- Penalty kill
- +0.3
- Shooting
- -5.4
- Penalties
- +1.4
- Average → replacement
- +3.2
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 72 | 0.7 | -0.4 to 2.1 | 207/615 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 40 | 0.7 | -0.4 to 1.5 | 192/596 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 54 | 1.7 | 0.6 to 3.1 | 86/608 |
| 2022-23 | COL | 53 | 0.7 | -0.7 to 1.5 | 171/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 132.5 km/h52nd percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 37.1 km/h92nd percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 2056th percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 41.3 %42nd percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 71.1 km72nd percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.37 km79th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 40.8 %45th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.2 %55th percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 40.6 %39th percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1947th percentile | 254th percentile | 10.5 %36th percentile |
| High danger | 646th percentile | 157th percentile | 16.7 %43rd percentile |
| Mid range | 656th percentile | 177th percentile | 16.7 %66th percentile |
| Long range | 593rd percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %87th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
BUF
DAL
COL
CAR
PHI
VGK
TOR
MIN
NYR
FLA
STL
PIT
UTAValeri Nichushkin: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Valeri Nichushkin have in 2026-27?
Valeri Nichushkin has 2 goals and 8 points (6 assists) in 15 games in 2026-27.
How old is Valeri Nichushkin?
Valeri Nichushkin is 31 years old: he was born on March 4, 1995.
How tall is Valeri Nichushkin, and how much does he weigh?
Valeri Nichushkin is 6'4" (193 cm) and weighs 216 lb (98 kg).
Where is Valeri Nichushkin from?
Russia: Valeri Nichushkin was born in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
What team does Valeri Nichushkin play for?
Valeri Nichushkin plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL, at R, wearing number 43.
Is Valeri Nichushkin injured?
No: Valeri Nichushkin is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Valeri Nichushkin?
Valeri Nichushkin produced 0.7 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 207th of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 83 out of 100: excellent for his position.
How much does Valeri Nichushkin make?
Valeri Nichushkin earns $6.1M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 71 out of 100 (good value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Valeri Nichushkin's contract end?
Valeri Nichushkin's contract runs through the 2029-30 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Valeri Nichushkin overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 71 out of 100 (good value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Valeri Nichushkin a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 207th of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Valeri Nichushkin getting better?
Yes: his PAL rating went from 65 in 2024-25 to 83 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Valeri Nichushkin played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Valeri Nichushkin has 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists).
What are Valeri Nichushkin's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Valeri Nichushkin has 642 games, 156 goals, 209 assists and 365 points. His best season: 2023-24, with 53 points in 54 games.
Where was Valeri Nichushkin drafted?
Valeri Nichushkin was drafted 10th overall (round 1) by Dallas Stars in 2013.
Is Valeri Nichushkin better at home or on the road?
At home: in 2026-27, he averages 0.67 points per game at home (6 in 9 games) and 0.33 on the road (2 in 6 games).
How does Valeri Nichushkin perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Valeri Nichushkin has 91 games and 43 points in his career. His pace (0.47 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.57).
Which player is most similar to Valeri Nichushkin?
Ben Kindel: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Ben Kindel's page →Is Valeri Nichushkin a good fantasy pick?
A useful depth pick: our projection has him at 42 points in 2026-27, or 0.61 points per game.
What is Valeri Nichushkin's nationality?
Valeri Nichushkin is Russian.
How many championships has Valeri Nichushkin won?
1: Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Where did Valeri Nichushkin play before turning pro?
Traktor Chelyabinsk (one season in the KHL), transferred to Dynamo Moscow on 1 May 2013 and signed a two-year contract.
How many points is Valeri Nichushkin projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 42 points in 69 games in 2026-27 (23 to 61 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Columbus Blue Jackets teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)