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Colorado Avalanche News
Parise (foot) remains week-to-week; but could be back sooner than originally expected.

Parise missed Saturday’s game vs. Dallas and is listed as week-to-week with a foot injury. Head coach Bruce Boudreau said that he thinks Parise is ahead of schedule and could be back sooner than originally expected. Monitor Parise’s status as the week progresses.

Zach Parise
Nichushkin is expected to sign a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow (KHL).

Nichushkin was unhappy with his playing time in Dallas and the 21-year-old restricted free agent has decided to return to Russia for the 2016-17 season. Nichushkin was the 10th overall pick in 2013 but has yet to develop into the scoring power-forward that he was expected to become. He had just 29 points (9G / 20A) in 79 games last season and 64 points (23G / 41A) across 166 career NHL games.

Valeri Nichushkin
The Avalanche signed Nathan MacKinnon to a seven-year deal worth $44.1 million ($6.3M AAV).

MacKinnon, 20, was the first overall pick in 2013 and is coming off of three strong seasons to start his NHL career. In 2015-16, MacKinnon had 21 goals and 31 assists (52 points) in 72 games. He has missed 28 games over the three years, but has scored at a strong pace—22 goals, 35 assists per 82 games. Entering his age 21 season, expect MacKinnon to take another step forward.

Nathan MacKinnon
The Red Wings re-signed Darren Helm to a five-year deal worth $19.25 million ($3.85M AAV).

It was believed that Helm’s time with the Red Wings had come to an end and he was going to hit free agency, but Detroit came in with a five-year deal in the final hour to lock the 29-year-old up through the 2020-21 season. Helm is coming off of a sub-par year, having posted just 13 goals and 13 assists (26 points) in 77 games.

Darren Helm
Parise is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury; will not travel to Dallas.

There were reports that Parise will miss an extended period time, but the Wild confirmed that he will not travel to Dallas for Game 1 or 2 of their first round series with the Stars. With Parise out, Jason Zucker will play on the top line and Chris Porter will move into the top 6.

Zach Parise
Parise (back) is not expected to be in the Wild’s lineup anytime soon.

Parise was diagnosed with a herniated disk that was pressing on a nerve in January and aggravated the injury last week. Parise was listed as day-to-day on Monday, but it’s looking more like he will miss a few games or even the entire first round with a debilitating back injury.

Zach Parise
Parise (undisclosed) miss Monday’s practice; questionable for Game 1.

Parise missed the Wild’s season finale on Saturday as well as today’s practice, so his status for Game 1 remains up in the air. The Wild have another practice on Wednesday, if he isn’t there for that session then he is likely to miss game 1 of the playoffs. Monitor his progress as the week continues.

Zach Parise
Parise (maintenance) is not expected to be in the lineup on Saturday.

Parise missed Friday’s practice and is not expected to be in the lineup in the season finale. With the Wild locked into the playoffs, there is no reason to risk an injury to their top forward. Jason Zucker will take his spot on the top line.

Zach Parise
Wedgewood will start Sunday in Carolina.

Wedgewood stopped the first 25 shots he faced before giving up a goal in overtime in Friday’s 1-0 loss to the Capitals. He has been sensational since being recalled from Albany, going 2-0-1 with a 0.66 GAA, .978 SV% and one shutout. He will look to keep things rolling against a Hurricanes team on a back-to-back, that has gone 1-2-4 while averaging 2.14 goals per game in their last seven.

Scott Wedgewood
Wedgewood will start again on Friday.

Wedgewood stopped all 39 shots that he faced in the Devils shutout win over the Penguins last night. Despite a heavy workload, he will start again tonight vs. the Capitals. He has won each of his first two NHL starts while sipping 66 of 67 shots (.985 SV%). He faces a Washington team that has won three of their last four.

Scott Wedgewood
The Devils will not hold a morning skate on Friday. Head coach John Hynes is expected to announce his starter when he address the media around 4:40 p.m. ET.

After Thursday's game, Hynes said he was undecided on who would start after Wedgewood posted a 39-save shutout vs. the Penguins. He has stopped 66 of 67 shots since being called-up.

Scott Wedgewood
Wedgewood starts Thursday in Pittsburgh.

Wedgewood stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Devils win over the Blue Jackets on Sunday. It was an impressive NHL debut from the 23-year-old netminder, who will get a stiffer test tonight in Pittsburgh. Wedgewood was 9-2-3 with a 1.69 GAA and .928 SV% with Albany before he was recalled, but Pittsburgh comes in having won six consecutive games while averaging 4.00 goals per game.

Scott Wedgewood
MacKinnon (knee) will not practice this week; will miss at least the next two games.

MacKinnon will miss at least the next two games before he is reevaluated on Sunday. The Avalanche said there will be no further updates until that time. This is obviously a massive hit to the Avs’ playoff chances—they are currently clinging to the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, just one spot up on Minnesota, who they’ll play on Saturday with out MacKinnon or Matt Duchene.

Nathan MacKinnon