Fantasy Sleeper with EDGE Stats
Valeri Nichushkin, F:
Nichushkin was traded from the Colorado Avalanche on June 25 following a season in which he recorded 49 points (17 goals, 32 assists) in 72 games. He added four points (two goals, two assists) in 12 playoff games. As a three-time 20-goal scorer and a Stanley Cup champion (with 15 points, including nine goals in 20 playoff games during the 2022 postseason), he brings experience and potential.
At 31 years old, Nichushkin is poised for a bounce-back season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He saw limited ice time last year (17:44 per game), the lowest since the 2020-21 season, but has the potential for increased opportunities. His career highs in goals (28) and power-play goals (16) came in just 54 games during the 2023-24 season. Notably, he scored 11 of his 17 goals from high-danger areas and ranked in the 95th percentile among forwards for max skating speed (23.50 mph) and long-range shots on goal (26).
Joining him on the top power play with Kirill Marchenko (27 goals) and Adam Fantilli (24 goals) could make Nichushkin a key player worth drafting in the late rounds (fantasy average draft position: 142.9).
Projected Lineup
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Valeri Nichushkin — Adam Fantilli — Kirill Marchenko
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Kent Johnson — Sean Monahan — Conor Garland
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Cole Sillinger — Charlie Coyle — Mathieu Olivier
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Dmitri Voronkov — Luca Del Bel Belluz — Ryan Lomberg
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Defensemen:
- Zach Werenski — Damon Severson
- Denton Mateychuk — Ivan Provorov
- Erik Gudbranson — Dante Fabbro
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Goalies:
- Jet Greaves
- Pheonix Copley
