Colorado Avalanche face a major challenge as Valeri Nichushkin suffers a lower-body injury set to sideline him for “some time.” Can the Avalanche maintain their elite win percentage without this dynamic forward? Chris Micieli and Zach Pearson spotlight Nichushkin’s outsized impact, discussing shocking win-loss splits with and without him since 2019 and exploring potential lineup replacements, including Gabe Landeskog, Gavin Brindley, and Logan O’Connor (eventually). Will Colorado’s “next man up” mentality keep the team rolling, or is a rough stretch ahead?

The conversation heats up with insights into Gavin Brindley’s new contract extension and what his high-ceiling play means for the Avalanche’s future. Roster flexibility, bottom-six shakeups, and the looming Buffalo Sabres matchup set the stage for crucial tests ahead. Get the latest predictions, waiver-wire moves, and a full breakdown of coaching tactics—all as the Avalanche fight to stay atop the Western Conference.

00:00 Missing Val's Impact Deeply

05:02 Avalanche's Resilience Through Challenges

07:51 Lineup Shuffle Suggestions

09:29 Nichuskin’s Persistent Injury Concerns

15:12 Brindley Extension

16:14 Bridge or Extend Decision

26:42 Buffalo Sabres' Overtime Struggles

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