Playoff hero Valeri Nichushkin has agreed to an eight-year contract extension to return to the Colorado Avalanche.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports the contract is worth $49 million with a $6.125 million cap hit.
Nichushkin set career-highs with 25 goals and 52 points this season, his third with the Avalanche. He then was a key contributor during the Avalanche's run to the Stanley Cup, scoring nine goals and 15 points in 20 playoff games.
“Signing Val to a long-term deal was a top priority for us this offseason, as he would have been one of the most sought-after forwards on the open market,” said Avalanche President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic. “Val is a big, strong, fast, tenacious winger who is relentless on the puck. He can play on the first line with our top guys, you can move him up and down the lineup. He plays power play, penalty kill, any situation you need him to. He works hard off the ice as well in the gym and is a humble person and great teammate. He is such an important player in our lineup and a huge reason why we won the Stanley Cup.”
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