Avalanche Acquire Forward Danil Gushchin From Sharks

The Colorado Avalanche acquired 23-year-old winger Danil Gushchin from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Oskar Olausson. Gushchin, who has appeared in 18 NHL games with the Sharks, posted strong numbers in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda, including 28 goals and 51 points in 56 games last season, earning him an AHL All-Star selection. Despite limited NHL opportunities, Gushchin is expected to compete for a fourth-line role with the Avalanche and likely begin the 2025-26 season in the minors with the Colorado Eagles. Olausson, a former first-round pick by Colorado in 2021, struggled to break into the NHL, appearing in just four games over three seasons with no points, and had modest AHL production. The trade represents Colorado's effort to add depth and address longstanding challenges with their bottom-six forward rotation. Gushchin's history includes strong junior and minor league performances in North America and Russia, and he has represented Russia internationally at the U18 level.