(Denver) The Avalanche have signed Valeri Nichushkin, who led Colorado with four goals in the Stanley Cup Finals, to an eight-year contract.
Posted at 6:38 p.m.
The agreement extends until the 2029-2030 season, inclusively.
Last season, the 27-year-old Russian set personal bests with 25 goals, 52 points and 19 minutes and 2 seconds of ice time, on average.
With three multi-goal games in his previous six seasons, Nichushkin has played five such games in 2021-22.
Beginning April 9, he has scored at least one point in seven straight games.
In the playoffs, Nichushkin added nine goals and 15 points, helping the club win the Stanley Cup in six games against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Since being signed by the Avalanche as a free agent in August 2019, the Russian has 100 points in 182 games. He hit 238, ranking second among club forwards in this regard, behind Gabriel Landeskog (261).
“Keeping ‘Val’ for the long term was a big priority for us,” said Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic, who just received the new title (he was the general manager).
“Impressively built (six-foot-four and 210 pounds), strong, quick and relentless in pursuit of the puck, he answers the call in many situations. He works hard off the ice, he shows humility and he is a very appreciated teammate. »
“His game played a big part in getting us to the championship. »