Major development in Valeri Nichushkin’s return to the NHL!

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is eligible to return to the team this month once his 6 month NHL suspension concludes. The Russian forward was suspended a ‘minimum of 6 months’ by the NHL back in May and ordered into Stage 3 of the NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program, an addiction and behavioral health recovery program.

You’ll remember that Nichushkin was originally removed from the Avs’ roster after a strange interaction with an unnamed woman in a Seattle hotel room back in April, 2023. The woman was heavily intoxicated to the point where she required medical attention. Paramedics arrived on the scene to find a distraught Ukranian-born woman who knew barely any English. She claimed that a ‘very bad man’ stole her passport and identification. The Avalanche’s management team was then accused of covering things up for Nichushkin. There’s still not any clear indication on what exactly transpired that evening.

A significant update on his return to action came on Monday when it was reported by the NHL Discussion that Nichushkin can return to the Avalanche’s roster on November 15th.

In the preseason when questioned about Nichushkin and his controversial past and departure from the team, head coach Jared Bednar said that the Avalanche will welcome Val Nichushkin back “with open arms”, adding how he thought Val has some things he probably wants to say to the group, and that “there has to be some forgiveness” with the whole situation.

While he let his team down in a major way during their second round playoff series against the Dallas Stars when he earned himself the long suspension with reports that it came as a result of a failed drug test, it seems like the Avalanche players and staff are ready to support him and welcome him back - on November 15th.

This is good news in terms on performance on the ice for Colorado as the Avalanche has struggled mightily since the start of the season. The infirmary is loaded with the likes of forwards Jonathan Drouin (upper body), Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder) and captain Gabriel Landeskog, whose status has not changed following knee cartilage surgery in 2022.

The hope in Denver is that Nichushkin has made a full recovery from his off-ice issues and that the team will heat up with his return.