For the second time in as many seasons, Valeri Nichushkin stood in front of a horde of assembled media and spoke after being sent away from the Avalanche during the previous Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Speaking after his season debut, a 5-2 loss to Washington at Ball Arena, Nichushkin addressed the work he did while serving a six-month suspension in Stage 3 of the NHL-NHLPA player assistance program.
“It was tough,” Nichushkin said. “A lot of work. A lot of things. I think I have made huge progress with my mental health and hope that it never happens again.”
Nichushkin was suspended and returned to the player assistance program the day of Game 4 against the Dallas Stars in the second round of the 2024 playoffs. The Avalanche lost that night and eventually the series in six games.
The talented forward had a career season in 2023-24 with 28 goals and 53 points in just 54 games, but he also missed nearly two months during the regular season while in Stage 2 of the program. It was the second time in as many seasons that a Colorado postseason run ended with Nichushkin away from the team.
“I spent (the) last six months pretty much working every day,” he said. “I have people in Russia I work with (year round) and we have made huge progress. I have changed my lifestyle, change in how (I) work out in gym. A lot of different things. I feel amazing. I feel like my mind is in the right spot right now. My shape, even like today — I was thinking it would be way harder, but I feel pretty good.”
Several of Nichushkin’s teammates said they would welcome Nichushkin back with open arms. General manager Chris MacFarland said before the season began that all of the reports during Nichushkin’s time in the program were positive.
“I am in Denver the last month, so spending time with the guys is amazing,” Nichushkin said. “It’s been a very tough time in my life so I am kind of enjoying it right now. The guys had so many good words to support me from the first day. It’s a huge help.”
Nichushkin had one shot on goal and played 19:27 in his first game back. He skated on the second line for much of the game alongside center Casey Mittelstadt and wing Jonathan Drouin, who was also playing for the first time since being injured opening night in Las Vegas.
“I thought he was OK,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said of Nichushkin. “I thought (Drouin) was OK, too. I wasn’t expecting perfection from those guys.”
Bednar was asked if he felt like it was time to turn the page with Nichushkin back.
“Yeah, I do,” the coach said. “Now he’s got to continue down his path and hopefully survive the season and beyond that, keep being a major contributor to our team.”
