Ex-Boston Bruins forward career hits rock bottom with the Colorado Avalanche organization
Photo credit: Stanley Cup of Chowder
With news of Valeri Nichushkin's return from the NHL/NHLPLA's player assistance program, the Colorado Avalanche has to make a move.
That involved former Boston Bruin, Chris Wagner who was recalled from the AHL's Colorado Eagles after Jonathan Drouin was placed on injured reserve.
The move comes as the Avalanche are expected to activate Valeri Nichushkin on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Coach Jared Bednar confirmed the move on Sunday. Nichushkin, who's in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, is eligible to return Friday so long as there's no setbacks.
Now, he will have to find his way back into the AHL, by playing the best hockey he can as with Nichushkin returning to the lineup, GM Chris McFarland will send the NHL vet down once again.
Wagner played only 12 games this season, and only scored one goal against the Seattle Kraken on November 5th.
The former tough guy played 186 games in Boston, scoring 34 points( 20 G, 14 A) with a -15 rating, and 122 PIMs.
The Walpole native spent a majority of his final two seasons in Boston with the Providence Bruins. Some of that was due to his contract and $1.35 million cap hit, while some of it was due to free agent signings pushing him out of the lineup.
Wagner's best seasons weren't until 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 scoring 27 points( 15 G, 12 A) in 2021-2022. And in 2022-2023 scored 31 points( 19 G, 12 A) reaching a career-high in that season alone.
He signed as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche during free agency and for a league minimum of $775K.
,q>Is a versatile forward who can line up either at center or wing. Also has a strong lower base, so he is fairly good at maintaining possession of the puck. Can produce decent offense at lower levels. Is more of a role player than top-six forward option at the highest level. While he does bring grit to the team, he needs to avoid taking bad penalties from time to time. Lacks a dominating quality.
It sounds like Wagner hasn't found an optimal role for himself in the NHL, and might be a lifer in the AHL if he can't produce like he did in 2022-2023.
For now, he joined other Colorado Avalanche like Ivan Ivan, Jean-Luc Foudy, Nikolai Kovalenko, and Oskar Olausson in the AHL.
He can provide a veteran presence in the AHL while being a regular call-up for now.
Wagner was originally drafted in the Fifth-round of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 15 | 104 ANSWERS Ex-Boston Bruins forward career hits rock bottom with the Colorado Avalanche organization Do you think Chris Wagner will be relegated to the AHL for the rest of his career? | ||
| Yes | 71 | 68.3 % |
| No | 33 | 31.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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