Avalanche Recall Barre-Boulet; Nichushkin Sidelined
The Colorado Avalanche have made a crucial roster change ahead of their home game against the Washington Capitals. They recalled forward Alex Barre-Boulet from the AHL as winger Valeri Nichushkin is sidelined due to an upper-body injury.
Avalanche Recall Barre-Boulet
This recall marks Barre-Boulet’s first NHL appearance since he played two games for the Montreal Canadiens at the start of the 2024-25 season. In those games, he did not score, recorded one penalty, and had a minus-two rating. Following those performances, he was sent to the AHL, joining the Laval Rocket.
Barre-Boulet’s AHL Success
- Barre-Boulet led Laval in scoring with 63 points in 64 regular-season games.
- He added 11 points in 13 playoff games.
- This impressive performance led him to sign with the Colorado Eagles for the current season.
- He has continued to excel, scoring 37 points in 36 games this season.
The Avalanche are now set to leverage Barre-Boulet’s scoring ability during Nichushkin’s absence. Over his NHL career, Barre-Boulet has played 68 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, accumulating 12 goals and 18 points. His time in the NHL has primarily been spent on the fourth line, a role he is likely to resume in Colorado.
Nichushkin’s Absence
Nichushkin’s injury is a significant setback for the Avalanche. He has contributed 11 goals and 27 points in 38 games this season. Recently, he ended a six-game scoring drought with a point on Friday, showcasing his capability despite recent challenges.
In December, Nichushkin had a strong performance, tallying 14 points in 14 games. His presence in the top nine of the roster has been pivotal, and his absence creates noticeable gaps in the lineup. To compensate, the Avalanche will rely on Barre-Boulet, Ross Colton, and Gavin Brindley to collectively fill the void left by him.
