How will the Avalanche replace Valeri Nichushkin? Could a former Canadiens winger be a fit with the Red Wings? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak wondered how the Colorado Avalanche will adjust to the absence of Valeri Nichushkin, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the offseason.

Former Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (NHL Images).

“When Nichushkin was available and in form, he was one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL,” Masisak wrote, describing him as a “massively valuable player on a team-friendly contract.”

Masisak asked how the Avalanche could replace Nichushkin, especially after trading him for salary-cap reasons.

The Avalanche signed free-agent winger Jaden Schwartz to replace some of Nichushkin’s offense. They could look to veterans such as Artturi Lehkonen, Nicolas Roy, or recently acquired Zachary L’Heureux to help fill the void on the penalty kill.

Masisak noted that Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic plans to accumulate salary-cap space during this season to have more available at the March 1 trade deadline. He could use that space at the deadline to add an impact forward if necessary to solve the riddle of replacing Nichushkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I realize this isn’t a trade rumor, but it will be worth monitoring as the season progresses. The Avalanche could surface in the rumor mill if they can’t adequately replace Nichushkin from within during this season.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently wondered if former Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine would be a fit with the Detroit Red Wings.

LeBrun cited a piece by Max Bultman in The Athletic about whether recently acquired winger Viktor Arvidsson might help the Red Wings’ scoring at even strength.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine is among the few notable players remaining in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market. The Canadiens mostly used the 28-year-old winger as a power-play specialist. He might help the Red Wings on the man advantage, but less so at even strength.