Forward Valeri Nichushkin suffered a setback in his return from a lower-body injury and doesn't figure to be back in the Colorado Avalanche lineup anytime soon.

The Avalanche haven't had forward Valeri Nichushkin in their lineup so far in 2025, and he's still a ways from returning.

Not the best news regarding the status of one of the Colorado Avalanche’s top-scoring threats. On Wednesday, head coach Jared Bednard revealed that forward Valeri Nichushkin is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has struggled to stay in the lineup this season. The 29-year-old missed the first 17 games due to a six-month ban that began in May for failing a drug test.

Valeri Nichushkin was supposed to be out day-to-day when he got injured against the Winnipeg Jets on New Year’s Eve. Head coach Jared Bednar expected him to miss 7-10 days. He was also working his way back during the homestand and there was once a chance he could play on Wednesday against the Jets.

Read the recent NHL news and rumors about Valeri Nichushkin for fantasy hockey. Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) has suffered a setback

Nichushkin (lower body) participated in Sunday's practice and is inching toward being ready to return to the lineup, according to Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports. Nichushkin was a full participant in Sunday's session but left the ice early,

The Avalanche host the Winnipeg Jets looking to salvage a winning record during an underwhelming homestand. Will Valeri Nichushkin play? A new team has emerged in the J.T. Miller sweepstakes. Also, Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen went head-to-head in a — you guessed it — high-scoring game.

Valeri Nichushkin appeared close to a possible return as he practiced with the team but he didn’t make it through the entire workout.

Sam Malinski didn’t need a heart-to-heart, in-depth meeting. He got the message. Malinski, a healthy scratch for the past three games, returns to the lineup Wednesday night in a pivotal Central Division showdown against the Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena.

Forward Valeri Nichushkin suffered a setback in his return from a lower-body injury and doesn't figure to be back in the Colorado Avalanche lineup anytime soon.