The Latest Breaking News from Valeri Nichushkin

The Avalanche did not need a bigger boat.

If the Avs want to keep their reputation as the most feared team in the un-wild west, they’ll have to do better than they did Saturday.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Suddenly, the Colorado Avalanche’s strong starts are beginning to blur together enough to be forgotten.

DENVER — It would have sounded ludicrous as recently as four days ago to credit the 2022-23 Avalanche with a feat of dominance equally impressive as the previous year’s team.

As much resilience as the Avalanche’s first third of the season demanded, there remained one mountain they had not climbed entering the final game before Christmas.

DENVER — To make up for their three upcoming off days, the Avs are trying to treat fans to extra hockey on a nightly basis as a holiday gift.

PHILADELPHIA — No captain Gabriel Landeskog, no winger Valeri Nichushkin, no winger Artturi Lehkonen for the reigning Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, due to injury. That was (almost) no problem for the Flyers, who have been decimated by injuries of their own for the last two seasons.

ELMONT, N.Y. — Just when one problem seemed to be solved for the Colorado Avalanche, the headache multiplied instead.

DENVER — So maybe Colorado has some experimenting to do with its second, third and fourth lines. Maybe the penalty kill needs intense self-evaluation. Maybe the Avalanche lacks depth.

On banner night, Artturi Lehkonen decided to have one himself.

The NHL veteran agreed to a contract through the 2029–30 season.