Nichushkin is battling a nagging groin/hip injury that will keep him out of tonight's game. He is back in Frisco, Texas getting tested so an update on how long he will be out should be coming soon. Colton Sceviour will play on the Stars top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
Nichushkin was replaced by Cody Eakin on the Stars top line in practice and could miss tomorrow's game with and groin and hip ailment that has been bothering him since training camp. Monitor Nichushkin's status during Tuesday's morning skate.
Nichushkin had been feeling under the weather the last few days which prompted the Stars to have him practice on the fourth line with Colton Sceviour taking his spot on the top-line. Nichushkin was shifted back to the right wing with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin and should be there for the season opener tomorrow. He has a ton of size and skill and two awesome linemates, all things point towards a huge year for Nichushkin.
In line rushes at Monday's practice, Nichushkin skated as an extra. With a team stacked with polished NHL and KHL veterans it is not surprising to see the 18-year-old sit on the big stage. He could see some action as the tournament progresses, but don't expect to see him on Thursday vs. Slovenia.
“Val is going back in,” Lindy Ruff said. “This was to recharge Val and get him going again. It’s hard, because we miss him when he’s out of the lineup, we miss the Val that had lots of energy and skated well. It’s hard to say an 18-year-old is a big part of our team, but he’s a big part of our team, and when he’s going well, we’re a better team.” Those are pretty complimentary words for Nichushkin, who has 22 points (9G / 13A) in 46 games. There is no word on how the Stars lines will shake out, but we guess that coach Ruff goes back to his old lines, which will see Nichushkin skating with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.
Nichushkin scored his first NHL goal last night and was rewarded with a move to the top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin today. This has happened before but he did not end up playing with them in-game. Dallas takes on the Bruins tomorrow, if he sticks on the first line, you should expect and increase in production from the talented Russian.
Nichushkin was practicing with Seguin and Benn yesterday, but that didn't last long. After a strong preseason, Nichushkin has struggled on the third line without a great supporting cast.
Nichushkin was on everyone's sleeper list after a stellar preseason, but limited minutes and subpar line-mates have held him back to start the season. The move to the top line should definitely help the 18-year-old, especially the way Seguin and Benn have been playing (combined 19 points in eight games). Nichushkin is only owned in 5% of Yahoo! leagues, if he gets a chance to stay on this line, chances are he will produce.
After giving Valeri Nichushkin the night off against Colorado Tuesday, Stars head coach Lindy Ruff has the 18-year-old rookie back on the ice Thursday against the Sharks at American Airlines Center. Ruff will move Nichushkin from the right wing to the left wing and play him with two veterans in Shawn Horcoff and Erik Cole. The line makes sense, in that Nichushkin will probably have to simplify his game on the left side and he’ll be supported by two veterans. In the first four games, he has wandered in his assignments and has just one shot on goal from the right side.
Nichushkin dazzled in the preseason but has been dropped to the fourth line and has yet to record a point in four games.
