Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Expected back Nov. 15
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Nichushkin (suspension) is set to return to action against the Capitals on Nov. 15 as long as his reinstatement goes as planned, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Nichushkin will have to wait five more games to make his 2024-25 season debut after entering Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Assuming he is reinstated as expected, Nichushkin will likely push for a top-six role and could be in the mix for power-play minutes as well. Despite being limited to just 54 regular-season games last year, Nichushkin still managed to set new career highs in goals (28) and points (53).
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Receives green light to practice
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Nichushkin (suspension) was cleared to practice with Colorado on Monday.
Nichushkin remains in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He was suspended for at least six months in May for violating the treatment plan and still has to apply for reinstatement. Still, this is a step in the right direction for the 29-year-old forward. He amassed 28 goals, 53 points, 158 shots on net and 74 hits across 54 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Skates Friday
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Nichushkin (suspension) skated with the team's skills coach and a staff member Friday after his Avalanche teammates finished practice, Colleen Flynn of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said Nichushkin has been skating at the facility for a couple of weeks, but the forward is not yet allowed around his teammates until the NHL clears him. The 29-year-old Nichushkin was suspended in May for at least six months and placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The six-month minimum ends in mid-November, and Bednar hopes Nichushkin can start practicing with the team soon.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Arrives in Denver
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Nichushkin (suspension) has arrived in Denver to do workouts and skate on his own, the Avalanche announced Saturday.
Nichushkin is serving a suspension of at least six months after entering Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in May. He is not eligible to apply for reinstatement until November. Nichushkin was outstanding in 2023-24, picking up 28 goals and 53 points in 54 regular-season appearances. He will be a top-six forward for the Avalanche upon his return.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Not in Denver yet
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Nichushkin (suspension) is expected to arrive in Denver in late October, according to Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now on Tuesday.
Nichushkin should be back on the ice with his teammates at some point in November. He was placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in May for violating the treatment plan and suspended for at least six months. Nichushkin is eligible to apply for reinstatement in November. He produced 28 goals and 53 points in 54 regular-season contests with the Avalanche in 2023-24.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Timeline to return uncertain
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Nichushkin (suspension) does not have a clear timeline to return to the Avalanche, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
Nichushkin is listed on the Avalanche's training camp roster, but he is not eligible to participate or play in regular-season games until mid-November. Head coach Jared Bednar said the team will have multiple meetings to address the situation ahead of the winger's reintegration with the club. Nichushkin remains in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Back in assistance program
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Nichushkin was placed in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Monday and will be suspended for six months.
Nichushkin was in the program during the regular season, missing 22 games as a result. Now, he's in Stage 3 of the program and will need to apply for reinstatement after a six-month suspension. He scored 28 goals and 53 points through 54 games this season. Nichushkin also racked up nine goals and 10 points through eight playoff games. With him out, Zach Parise could see a bump in playing time.
Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Stars in Game 2.
Nichushkin's tally brought the Avalanche within a goal late in the third period, but they couldn't pull off another stunning comeback. The winger has at least one goal in all seven playoff contests so far, scoring nine times with one assist, 24 shots on net, 18 hits and a plus-3 rating over that stretch. Nichushkin was shuffled to the second line during Thursday's game, but that's unlikely to hamper his production even if it ends up being a permanent move.
Nichushkin logged a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 Game 1 overtime win over the Stars.
Nichushkin got the Avs on the board 5:31 into the second period on the power play, sliding a loose puck past Jake Oettinger before adding a second point on the man advantage with an assist on Cale Makar's tally later in the frame. Nichushkin's been on fire to start the playoffs, scoring in six straight games while totaling eight goals and nine points overall. The 29-year-old winger tallied 28 goals and 53 points, both career highs, in 53 regular-season contests.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Tallies in Tuesday's win
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Nichushkin scored a goal, added three hits and went plus-3 in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Jets in Game 5.
Nichushkin was locked in during the first round, scoring seven times on 17 shots over five contests. He's picked up nine goals across six appearances dating back to the regular-season finale. Nichushkin should remain in a position to put up goals if he sticks on the top line heading into the second round.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Scores hat trick
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Nichushkin scored three goals on five shots in Sunday's 5-1 Game 4 win over the Jets.
Nichushkin deposited two power-play goals in the second period to give the Avalanche a 4-1 lead going into the third period. He added an empty-net goal late in the third frame for the hat trick, and Sunday's trio of tallies brings Nichushkin up to six goals in the playoffs. The 29-year-old winger added two hits, three blocked shots, five shots on net and a plus-2 rating in 22:28 of ice time. Including the regular season, Nichushkin is on a six-game point streak, scoring eight goals and one assist over that span.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Finds twine on power play
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Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on three shots in Friday's 6-2 win over the Jets in Game 3.
Nichushkin has scored a goal in each of the Avalanche's first three playoff contests this year, and he's added 11 shots on net, seven hits and a minus-1 rating. Dating back to the regular season, the winger has five goals and an assist during a five-game point streak. He was on the top line Friday and should remain productive in that role if he stays there, though Zach Parise has also gotten looks in that spot.
Nichushkin scored an empty-net goal on five shots, added two hits and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Jets in Game 2.
Nichushkin had to work for the empty-netter, earning his fifth point over his last four outings. The 29-year-old winger started the contest on the second line but saw some shifts on the first unit as well when Zach Parise got shuffled down the lineup. Nichushkin can provide solid offense as long as he's in the top six, and he's also a good source of hits with five over the first two contests of the postseason.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Scores early in loss
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Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots, added two PIM and doled out three hits in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Nichushkin has scored three times over the last two games. His goal set the Avalanche off on the right foot Sunday, but they couldn't keep pace with an opportunistic attack from the Jets. Nichushkin racked up a career-high 28 goals with 25 helpers, 158 shots on net and 74 hits over 54 regular-season appearances and should be a top-six fixture during the postseason.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Two goals to wrap up campaign
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Nichushkin scored a pair of goals in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Oilers.
Nichushkin opened the scoring 1:19 into the first period, one-timing an Artturi Lehkonen feed in the slot. Nichushkin added a second tally on a power play later in the frame. The 29-year-old Nichushkin had just one assist in his previous five contests since returning from a four-game absence with a lower-body injury. He'll finish the regular season with 28 goals and 53 points, both new career highs, across 54 games. Nichushkin will likely open the playoffs on the second line with Lehkonen and Casey Mittelstadt, though he could see time on the top unit if Jonathan Drouin (undisclosed) is forced to miss any time.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Back in action
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Nichushkin (lower body) will play Friday against Edmonton, per the NHL's media site.
Nichushkin is set to return following a four-game absence. The 29-year-old winger tallied eight points in eight games after returning from the Player Assistance Program before missing time due to the injury. On the year, he has 26 goals and 50 points through 48 appearances.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Possible return Friday
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Nichushkin (lower body) will not play Thursday against Minnesota but it's possible he will play Friday against Edmonton, per Corey Masisak of The Denver Post.
Nichushkin has missed the past three games because of the injury -- he's played 48 games this season, recording 26 goals and 24 assists. The 29-year-old will likely be slotted into the first or second line when he returns to action. He will likely also jump onto the No. 1 power-play unit when he returns -- he's picked up 15 of his 26 goals with the man advantage this season.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Might be available for Friday
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Nichushkin (lower body) will link up with the Avalanche on the road and might make his return Friday versus Edmonton, Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey reports Wednesday.
Nichushkin will meet up with the Avalanche in Minnesota, but he isn't expected to participate in Thursday's contest against the Wild. Still, this is an encouraging sign for the 29-year-old forward, who last played March 26. He has 26 goals and 50 points in 48 outings this season. When Nichushkin does rejoin the lineup, Jonathan Drouin might slide off the top line.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Won't travel to start trip
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Nichushkin (lower body) won't travel with the Avalanche at the start of their three-game road trip, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
Nichushkin hasn't been ruled out for the whole trip, but he won't play Monday in Columbus. He will resume skating in Denver and may link up with the Avalanche later in the trip, which also includes stops Thursday in Minnesota and Friday in Edmonton.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Not playing Saturday
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Nichushkin (lower body) won't play Saturday against the Predators, per Ryan Boulding of NHL.com.
Nichushkin will miss second straight contest. In 48 appearances this season, he has racked up 26 goals, 50 points, 147 shots on net and 64 hits. Brandon Duhaime is slated to play on the second line again in Saturday's matchup because of Nichushkin's absence.
