NHL Rumors: Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Carolina Hurricanes

The Colorado Avalanche are not interested in trading Valeri Nichushkin at this time

Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now: In June there was a report that the Chicago Blackhawks were kicking around the idea of ​​trading Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin. Nichuskin was suspended in November and remains in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. In the end they decided against it.

You would think that there are other groups out there that outweigh the risks associated with possible travel.

Nichuskin is not moving and at this point the Avalanche have no interest in moving him. That can obviously change.

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Chris Johnston on his podcast:

“Then you have Valeri Nichushkin, who is in the third phase of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He cannot play before November under the terms of the program. The Avalanche are telling teams right now, 'we're not trading him in this window.' They hope that they will help in reviving the player and the person.”

As we continue into the offseason, it will be difficult to trade Patrik Laine

Aaron Portzline of the Athletic: As of Saturday, Patrik Laine was in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He has been in it since January. Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has been saying Laine's approval to leave the program is imminent.

Getting the clearance means that doctors think the player is healthy enough to return to his NHL career.

Waddell said interested teams would like to talk to Laine first before he starts selling the Blue Jackets. Laine has two years at $8.7 million. Displacing him is not an easy task given the circumstances of many teams' salaries.

The Blue Jackets would like to make a 'hockey trade' and not retain the bulk of Laine's contract.

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The Carolina Hurricanes are one team that makes some sense. The Hurricanes made a trade offer to the Blue Jackets that included Martin Necas in the draft. They have enough cap space to pick up Laine's contract.