Colorado Avalanche News

Parise left Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury and did not return.

Parise was injured in the third period, but head coach Mike Yeo would not reveal the seriousness of the injury, nor would he indicate whether Parise would travel with the team to Ottawa for the start of their road trip. Expect an update to come this afternoon.

Zach Parise
Nichushkin (groin) is questionable to return on Tuesday.

Nichushkin has missed the last nine games, but was on the ice for Stars practice this morning after a two-game conditioning stint with Texas (AHL) over the weekend. Head coach Lindy Ruff said whether or not he plays will be based on his conditioning, but considering he just returned from a conditioning stint, it would seem likely that he will play.

Valeri Nichushkin
The Stars have activated Valeri Nichushkin from IR and loaned him to Texas (AHL) on a conditioning assignment.

Nichushkin has missed the last seven games while recovering from a groin injury. His assignment will likely last the weekend as he gets back up to speed and will be recalled to join the Stars for next week. He has no points in two games this season.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin (groin/hip) was back at Stars' practice on Monday.

Nichushkin has missed the last six games with groin/hip injuries, but was back on the ice this morning. Despite returning to practice, Nichushkin skated on the Stars 'fifth-line' which suggests he is nearing a return, but it will not be on Tuesday vs. St. Louis. After tomorrow, Dallas is off until Friday, that seems like a more realistic return date.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin (groin) will "sit for about a week" said Stars GM Jim Nill.

Nichushkin, 19, has been dealing with the nagging injury for about six weeks and it has not improved, so the Stars will shut him down for "about a week" and let it heal. With Nichushkin out, Colton Sceviour got a chance on the Stars top line on Tuesday and produced one assist, three shots and a plus-3 rating. The Stars believe there is a seven to 10 day window before Nichushkin rejoins the team for practice.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin (illness) back on the Stars' top-line this morning.

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.

Valeri Nichushkin
Burns will return to the blue line in time for the start of the 2014-15 season.

Burns put up good numbers in his first full NHL season as a forward, scoring 48 points in 69 games (22G / 26A). He was, however, a streaky player, at one point going 19 games between goals and adding just two goals and one assist in seven playoff games while playing on Joe Thornton’s wing. “That size, the strength, the shot – you just saw Montreal with a guy that’s a bit of a wild stallion go and make plays,” GM Doug Wilson said, referring to P.K Subban. “Burnzie, to us, is that type of ingredient that we need, so that will be taking place.”

Brent Burns