Confirmed with Link: 2019 Off-Season Avs sign Nichushkin to 1 year deal

[beltjones]

Current thoughts on this guy? Is he still with the team?

I'm a Dallas fan, and I was pretty surprised that he was picked up by an NHL team after watching him last season. I don't think I've ever seen a hockey player care so little about playing hockey.

Perusing the Avs' preseason numbers, it looks like Val got into 3 games, played decent minutes in each, and didn't do anything to get on the scoreboard in any of them. I didn't see these games, is there anything he did that was impressive that didn't show up in the box score?

 

[MarkT]

Current thoughts on this guy? Is he still with the team?

I'm a Dallas fan, and I was pretty surprised that he was picked up by an NHL team after watching him last season. I don't think I've ever seen a hockey player care so little about playing hockey.

Perusing the Avs' preseason numbers, it looks like Val got into 3 games, played decent minutes in each, and didn't do anything to get on the scoreboard in any of them. I didn't see these games, is there anything he did that was impressive that didn't show up in the box score?

I thought his effort was actually really great. He was playing really hard every shift and had some really good scoring chances. I also liked some of his passes. We also had him playing on the penalty kill, and he seemed okay - I especially liked his reach for taking away passing lanes.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Current thoughts on this guy? Is he still with the team?

I'm a Dallas fan, and I was pretty surprised that he was picked up by an NHL team after watching him last season. I don't think I've ever seen a hockey player care so little about playing hockey.

Perusing the Avs' preseason numbers, it looks like Val got into 3 games, played decent minutes in each, and didn't do anything to get on the scoreboard in any of them. I didn't see these games, is there anything he did that was impressive that didn't show up in the box score?

He worked hard, skated well, and usually made smart plays. Lacking in offensive talent, but not much less than most 4th liners. His size/skating could make him a good PKer and + bottom four player. I think he can be Nieto's replacement if he puts up 10 goals this season.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

Is he supposed to play in game 1? or will he be sitting on the bench?

Thanks.

 

[klozge]

Is he supposed to play in game 1? or will he be sitting on the bench?

Thanks.

He'll probably play. It's up to Bednar, though.
It looks like he'll be on the 4th line with Calvert and Bellemare.

 

[Avsboy]

Never would have imagined Nichushkin carving out a role as a 4th line grinder

 

[JoeSakic13]

Never would have imagined Nichushkin carving out a role as a 4th line grinder

I can imagine he’s just as shocked.

 

[beltjones]

Even as a 4th liner, how many games does he play without scoring before they waive him?

 

[CobraAcesS]

Even as a 4th liner, how many games does he play without scoring before they waive him?

My bold prediction... Nuke lasts longer on this roster than Bura does.

Nuke does not look like a wet noodle skating fast when hes not scoring.

 

[beltjones]

My bold prediction... Nuke lasts longer on this roster than Bura does.

Nuke does not look like a wet noodle skating fast when hes not scoring.

I don't know, Bura got the game winner last night, and Nichushkin didn't even crack the score sheet. 0 points, 0 shots, 0 hits, 0 blocked shots, 0 takeaways, 0 everything. Surely the Avs have someone in the system who would benefit from some NHL 4th line minutes who would at least hit someone.

 

[Foppa2118]

I don't know if he'll keep up this play all season, but Nuke deserves to play higher than the 4th line. He's been much more multi dimensional than I thought. From pre-season until now.

I was expecting him to just have that drive the net move and nothing else, but he's been setting up line mates with smart passes, using his size to win battles down low, and back checking hard.

If they're going to keep Jost at center when Compher comes back, then Nieto should be reunited with Calvert who's already shown great chemistry with Bellemare. Then go with this bottom six.

Nuke - Jost - Compher
Nieto - Belly - Calvert

 

[Foxtail]

I don't know if he'll keep up this play all season, but Nuke deserves to play higher than the 4th line. He's been much more multi dimensional than I thought. From pre-season until now.

I was expecting him to just have that drive the net move and nothing else, but he's been setting up line mates with smart passes, using his size to win battles down low, and back checking hard.

If they're going to keep Jost at center when Compher comes back they should go with this bottom six. Nieto needs to be reunited with Calvert who's shown great chemistry with Bellemare.

Nuke - Jost - Compher
Nieto - Belly- Calvert

I was just about to post this in another thread, I'd like to see Nuke with Jost and Compher absolutely.

 

[Avs_19]

Nichushkin has been better than I expected but I thought Wilson's first game last night was better than any of Nichushkin's so far. He's still the guy I'd sit with everyone healthy.

 

[Foppa2118]

Nichushkin has been better than I expected but I thought Wilson's first game last night was better than any of Nichushkin's so far. He's still the guy I'd sit with everyone healthy.

I thought Wilson skated well and had a couple moments but I'd still sit him first.

Between the two, Nuke has more potential, and would also see his confidence hurt more by scratching. Wilson's the perfect low maintenance 13th forward.

 

[Brett44]

I thought Wilson skated well and had a couple moments but I'd still sit him first.

Between the two, Nuke has more potential, and would also see his confidence hurt more by scratching. Wilson's the perfect low maintenance 13th forward.

Please sit Nieto.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

I was just about to post this in another thread, I'd like to see Nuke with Jost and Compher absolutely.

Exactly what Jost need. A smart player (Nuke has been way more creative offensively than I expected) who has size along the boards and speed to back check. I love this 3rd line!

 

[Foxtail]

I thought Wilson skated well and had a couple moments but I'd still sit him first.

Between the two, Nuke has more potential, and would also see his confidence hurt more by scratching. Wilson's the perfect low maintenance 13th forward.

Exactly, nice to have Willie for depth and to spot in. I wonder about getting Kam into a game but I assume it will take a few injuries.

 

[Foxtail]

Exactly what Jost need. A smart player (Nuke has been way more creative offensively than I expected) who has size along the boards and speed to back check. I love this 3rd line!

put them together Bednar

 

[GirardSpinorama]

I think Nuke can turn into a better version of Daniel Winnik for us. Just a solid grinder.

 

[Foppa2118]

Please sit Nieto.

I don't think Nieto has played particularly well, I just think a Nieto - Belly - Calvert line would dominate down low and be one of the best 4th lines in the league.

 

[Bubba Thudd]

I think Nuke can turn into a better version of Daniel Winnik for us. Just a solid grinder.

I could live with that.

 

[Foppa2118]

I think Nuke can turn into a better version of Daniel Winnik for us. Just a solid grinder.

Winnik didn't add a lot of offense, but he was an outstanding defensive winger and PK specialist. If Nuke can bring those elements along with his skillset, he'll be an amazing player.

Unlikely he'll get to that level, but I think he should be trying to study the hell out of the PK with the coaches and try to add that element to his role.

 

[Ivan13]

I think Nuke can turn into a better version of Daniel Winnik for us. Just a solid grinder.

If he developed into that we would be golden. But nothing in his game suggests he could become an borderline elite defensive winger in the league.

 

[MarkT]

I think we'll sit once Compher is back, but I really hope the Avs keep him around and develop him into legit bottom 6 player who can ship in offensively from time to time. Guys with his size and skill level don't come around often, and it would be great to have that in our bottom six going forward - especially in the playoffs. Basically, I just want to see him take a lesson from Calvert and try to copy his play style. If he does that, he could be a keeper. If he doesn't then it's probably back to the KHL for him.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Bumping this because this guy has been a force on the ice. It’s actually insane how many chances he gets and hasn’t scored in so long. It made me wonder if he has always been like this and the answer is no. He seems to be getting way more chances now than ever

Going to compare some 18/19 stats to this season. Broke it down “per/60” since the ice time varies.

- 5.91 shots/60 have improved to 10.
- 0.47 individual expected goals has improved to 0.74.
- 9.91 individual CF improved to 13.43
- 7.62 individual FF improved to 7.62
- 5.82 scoring chances improved to 11.19
- 2.57 High Danger CF improved to 4.48

obviously if you multiply anything by zero it’s still zero but Nuke is doing significantly more to contribute to potentially scoring than he did last year. Some categories are nearly double.

If he is indeed playing on line 2 as it appears, I predict a goal or two on this road trip.