DENVER — Valeri Nichushkin has elevated his impactful, goal-scoring style of play this season.
According to his Colorado Avalanche colleagues, coaches, and general manager, his personal life has also seen significant improvement.
Almost a year ago, just before Game 4 of the second-round series against the Dallas Stars, Nichushkin faced a six-month suspension and was placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. This marked the second consecutive postseason where the Russian right winger was unavailable due to off-ice issues.
Now, Nichushkin and the Avalanche are set to compete against the Stars—the team that originally drafted him in 2013—in the first round of the playoffs, beginning Saturday in Dallas.
“His personal life is in a very good place,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar stated on Friday before the team departed for Dallas. “I am genuinely happy for him and commend his dedication.”
Teammate Logan O’Connor added, “Anyone who overcomes personal difficulties deserves support. His return has been truly impressive. His level of play is something we all admire and we are constantly rooting for him.”
When in the lineup, the 30-year-old Nichushkin is a crucial asset for the Avalanche. The team`s record stands at 224-79-29 when he plays. However, his absence was felt in the past two playoff losses due to off-ice matters.
Earlier in the week, General Manager Chris MacFarland addressed concerns about potential trust issues given Nichushkin`s history.
“I have complete confidence and trust in Val,” MacFarland affirmed. “Considering his on-ice contributions and personal journey, I have full faith that he is in a positive state and will continue to work hard for us and perform as a valuable player.”
Nichushkin`s season debut was delayed by 17 games due to suspension, finally playing on November 15 against Washington. He also missed 21 games due to a lower-body injury. Despite these setbacks, he tallied 21 goals and 13 assists, averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time.
Defenseman Erik Johnson describes the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Nichushkin as a “relentless forechecker” who also contributes to special teams. He achieved his first regular-season hat trick last month.
“He’s the kind of player every team needs but not all possess,” Johnson said of Nichushkin, who was vital to Colorado’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022. “We are fortunate to have him.”
Losing him against the Stars was a significant setback for the Avalanche, who ultimately lost the series in six games.
This followed Nichushkin’s abrupt departure from the team during the 2023 first-round playoff series against Seattle, attributed to personal reasons. He missed the final five games of that postseason, and the Avalanche lost the series 4-3.
“He took the necessary steps to achieve a healthier state. We supported him throughout,” O’Connor said. “He has been fantastic. I believe he has significantly improved his well-being and become more open. As a team, we might not have been creating an open environment for him previously. This year, it has been collectively healthier. The positive results are evident on the ice, and we are very proud of him.”
“It has been a challenging journey for him, but we are pleased with his current state. He is in a great place.”
