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.

Nichushkin (lower body) is expected to be out of action through the 4 Nations Face-Off, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. Nichushkin has already missed 14 games due to his lower body issue and will now be on the shelf for at least five more.

According to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette, Colorado Avalanche left wing Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) is expected to remain sidelined through the 4 Nations break. Nichushkin has already been sidelined over the past 14 contests due to the injury he suffered on December 31.

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

Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin had a setback in his rehab from a lower-body injury and is now considered week-to-week.

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin had a setback in his rehab from a lower-body injury and is now considered week-to-week.

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,

The Colorado Avalanche should add Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall to the top-six ahead of the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline.

It felt for years like the Valeri Nichushkin saga would define Chris MacFarland’s era as Avalanche general manager. But last Friday’s blockbuster trade changed everything. It’s been more than 30 years since a deal of this magnitude was made this late into an NHL season.

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. Colorado coach Jared Bednar ...

Jared Bednar has been known to rely heavily on his top forwards, often overplaying the top line to the point where some nights you wouldn't know the Avalanche were even dressing 12 forwards. That was not the case in Sunday's 5-4 win over the New York Rangers.

Following a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the Avalanche return home with all kinds of issues that need to be sorted out. Their depth has struggled to produce, the inconsistencies on defense are glaring,