Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #8 Danil Gushchin

Does the Russian find a better opportunity in Colorado?

Summarized by AI ⓘ

What is the story about?

The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).

Name: Danil Gushchin

Age: 23

Position: LW/RW

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 173 lbs.

Likely 2025-26 Team: Colorado Eagles

2024 Rank: N/A

Final Rank: #8 (swap with Oskar Olausson)

High Rank: #6 (Adrian)

Low Rank: #10 (Ezra)

2024-25 Statistics:

San Jose

Sharks – 12 GP: 0G, 1A, 1P

San Jose Barracuda – 56 GP: 28G, 23A, 51P (Playoffs – 4GP: 1G, 0A, 1P)

Danil Gushchin, was acquired by the Colorado Avalanche just a month ago in a flip of young wingers with the San Jose Sharks. He was a former 2020 third round pick by the Sharks who played who played out his three-year Entry Level Contract with the organization before getting moved. Gushchin slips into the eighth spot on our list by default to replace outgoing Oskar Olausson. Given Olausson’s struggles at the AHL level (26 points in 61 games last season), Gushchin may actually have ended up higher on the list had our panel been voting on him instead.

That said, Gushchin definitely has a lower ceiling than the former first round pick he is replacing. Due to his large frame and deadly shot, Olausson intrigued as a possible top six option whose offense could paper over the holes in his defensive game and a lack of intensity in his overall play. Gushchin is essentially the opposite player: A speedy, small playmaking forward who backchecks and defends with a grit that could earn him a look as a penalty kill/fourth line option in the NHL like most AHL veterans.

The size is a big drawback, as he simply doesn’t have the length or strength that are the hallmark of typical defensive forwards, but he makes up for it with a consistent motor and strong positioning. On top of that, Gushchin has found a way to contribute offense consistently at the AHL level, posting nearly a point per game over the last two seasons after scoring 45 points in 67 games in his first full season with the Barracuda. A large role on the power play certainly bolstered this production, though, with 28 of his 51 points in 2024-25 coming on the man advantage, contrast that with Olausson’s four power play points in the same season.

Unfortunately, that offense did not translate to the NHL for the 23-year-old Russian with the Sharks, who gave him only 18 games over three seasons in which he accumulated just five points. With a better Colorado team that features more capable bottom six forwards than those bottom-feeding Sharks team there is a chance Gushchin could find more offense if he earns a roster spot with his defense, but he most likely fits best on the Eagles as a replacement for the offense Matthew Phillips took with him to the San Diego Gulls. But, Gushchin will have to clear waivers to get to Loveland first.