The Colorado Avalanche remain without key forward Valeri Nichushkin, and that absence is going to continue for longer than expected.

Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon could each return to the lineup for the Wild against the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+). Each took part in line rushes at practice on Wednesday, and coach John Hynes said he is "cautiously optimistic" that they would play.

The Avalanche’s underwhelming homestand ended with an OT loss, but they also got bad news on the Valeri Nichushkin front.  If you’re into old-school hockey, you’ll love the tilt between two of the league’s last remaining heavyweight fighters.

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,

It has been tough sledding of late for the Colorado Avalanche. Coming into Wednesday night’s contest with the Winnipeg Jets, the team had lost four of its previous six, including a 3-0 shutout at the hands of the Jets on Jan.

Nichushkin did appear to be getting close to returning before this setback. He has 11 goals and 17 points in 21 appearances in 2024-25. Nichushkin hasn't been in the lineup since Dec. 31, but when he is healthy, he serves in a top-six capacity and features on the first power-play unit.

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.

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.

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

The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to show the rest of the NHL just how good they are, beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 Wednesday night, with Adam Fantilli scoring his first career NHL hat trick.

Forward Josh Norris (upper body) will not play against the Bruins and is expected to also be out against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday and Utah Hockey Club on Sunday. He did not play after the first period in a 5-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday.