Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar provides updates on Valeri Nichushkin’s status

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar addressed the media Thursday afternoon regarding the return status of Russian forward Valeri Nichushkin.

Bednar indicates “Nichushkin will be cleared to join the team for practices before his official reinstatement to play game time comes.”

Bednar also said he spoke to Nichushkin and believes he will be able to return to the lineup right away following reinstatement.

Just a month ago, Bednar spoke during Colorado media availabilities stating Nichushkin would be, “Welcomed back with open arms.”

In May, Nichushkin entered Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program after failing a drug test.

As a result, Nichushkin was suspended without pay for a minimum of six months. Following that, he will be eligible to apply for reinstatement back into the league and rejoin the Avalanche.

The season prior, Nichushkin missed time after a 911 call was made in Seattle after an intoxicated woman was found in his hotel room. Nichushkin was placed in the player assistance program back in January, missing 21 games before returning in March.

During the 2023-24 campaign, the Chelyabinsk, Russia native notched a career-high 28 goals and 53 points in 54 games. Nichushkin added nine goals and 10 points in 10 playoff games for the Avalanche prior to his suspension.

The 29-year-old is heading into the third season of an eight-year deal worth $6.125 million on an average annual value (AAV). Nichushkin was originally selected No. 10 overall in the 2013 Draft by the Dallas Stars, Nichushkin started off slow, spending parts of three years with Dallas before heading back to Russia and spending two years in the KHL.

Throughout his career, Nichushkin has tallied 116 goals and 158 assists for 274 points in 512 games with the Stars and Avalanche. He has added 35 points in 23 Stanley Cup playoff contests, all with Colorado over the past three years. Nichushkin captured a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2021-22.