Nichushkin, 23, spent the last two seasons with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he amassed 51 points (27-24=51) over 86 regular season contests. In 2017-18, he appeared in 50 regular season contests, tallying 27 points (16-11=27). Among team leaders, he led the club in games played (50) and game-winning goals (7), ranked second in shots on goal (115) and finished third in goals (16). Additionally, Nichushkin led all team forwards in time on ice per game (16:28).
He skated in 19 games in the 2018 Gagarin Cup Playoffs and tallied nine points (3-6=9), helping CSKA Moscow reach the KHL championship series. The forward qualified for the postseason in both seasons with CSKA Moscow, skating in 28 total Gagarin Cup Playoff games and registering 14 points (4-10=14).
"We are excited to welcome Val back to the Dallas Stars," Nill said. "Over his past two seasons in the KHL and with the national team, he has continued his growth and development as a hockey player. Val was one of his team's most outstanding players last season. He is a fantastic addition to our depth at forward and we look forward to his return to our club."
Nichushkin has appeared in 166 career NHL contests over three seasons, all with Dallas, and has registered 64 points (23-41=64). He has made two appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (2014, 2016), recording three points (1-2=3) in 16 career postseason contests.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound native of Chelyabinsk, Russia was originally selected by Dallas in the first round (10th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
