Avalanche to possibly have Valeri Nichushkin back by Mid November

Valeri Nichushkin, will surely be a welcome addition back to the Avalanches lineup. It was announced on AltitudeSR that President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic expects Nichushkin back hopefully by middle of November. The Aves have been without the Veteran forward since May 13th 2024, prior to game 4, second round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nichushkin has been a pivotal player for the Aves and with a depleted forward group will only be bolstered by his presence.

Valeri Nichushkin was placed in Stage 3 of the NHL Player Assistance Program.

The Player Assistance Program has four stages: Stage 1 is the first in-patient treatment, which is entirely voluntary. Stage 2 is following a violation of Stage 1, wherein the entrant is suspended without pay during the active phase of treatment. An entrant is placed in Stage 3 following a violation of Stage 2, and is suspended without pay for a minimum of six months. After three violations, an entrant is placed in Stage 4, which carries a one-year suspension without pay and no guarantee of reinstatement.

The program was established in 1996 as a venture to aid NHL players and their families through struggles with mental health, substance abuse and other issues.

Dallas bought out the final year of Valeri Nichushkin contract on June 30, 2019, and Nichushkin signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche on August 19. Three seasons later, he set NHL career highs with 25 goals, 27 assists, and 52 points in 62 regular-season games.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he added 15 points (nine goals, six assists) over 20 games, playing a pivotal role in helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. Nichushkin led all players with four goals in the Stanley Cup Final, tying Joe Sakic and Alex Tanguay (2001) for the most goals in a championship series in Colorado/Quebec Nordiques history.