The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association have confirmed that Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has entered Stage 3 of its Player Assistance Program. The program is a joint effort between the NHL and NHLPA, and Nichushkin, who is in Stage 3, will be suspended without pay for at least six months and must apply for reinstatement if he becomes eligible.
The Avalanche are just hours away from taking the ice for Game 4 of the second round against the Dallas Stars, leading 2-1. Nichushkin was a major contributor to Colorado's playoff run this year, recording nine goals and one assist in eight postseason games. The 29-year-old had another strong regular season this year, appearing in 54 regular season games and recording 28 goals and 25 assists.
Nichushkin entered the Player Assistance Program earlier this year and also missed the final five games of last season's playoffs against the Seattle Kraken for what the team called personal reasons. He continues to be a solid contributor on the ice for the Avalanche, scoring 93 goals and 107 assists in 289 games and scoring 26 points in the final 30 games of the playoffs. He's very good for the Avalanche on the ice, but he's had issues off the ice, especially in the past two postseasons after leaving the team early, limiting his minutes.
Nichushkin was a good story two seasons ago when he was a big part of the Avalanche's run to a Stanley Cup championship. During that time, he had nine goals and six assists in 20 playoff games, a shocking return just three years after a no-goal, 10-assist season in 57 games with Dallas.
According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, “Entering Stage 3 of the Athlete Assistance Program means there has been a violation of the Stage 2 treatment plan and will result in a suspension without pay for at least six months. , after which the player is eligible to apply for reinstatement.
