Avalanche Trade Val Nichushkin to Columbus For Three Picks. Could They Have Got More?

Colorado Avalanche fans reel as Valeri Nichushkin is traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a surprising package of picks. With only a 2026 second-rounder, a 2027 third, and a 2028 fifth coming back, questions swirl about the front office’s strategy and whether the return fits Nichushkin's value as a top-six forward with term and a manageable cap hit. Can the Avalanche replace Nichushkin’s production, or did they move too soon on a player with more to offer?

Hosts Chris Micieli and Zach Pearson weigh the merits of the deal, drawing comparisons to recent blockbuster trades like Bo Byram’s and Brady Tkachuk’s, and speculate on Joe Sakic’s next move. The episode also grades Brock Nelson’s season, debates free agency options, and explores Colorado’s reshaped cap space. Can the Avalanche parlay this newfound flexibility into a deeper playoff run, or did they sacrifice too much in the chase for a fresh start?

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