Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar stated that he does not have clarity on Valery Nichushkin’s future with the club. Bednar acknowledged he is unsure about whether Nichushkin can rejoin the team at a later date and emphasized that any confirmation would depend on developments beyond his current knowledge. This uncertainty comes amid ongoing discussions surrounding Nichushkin’s status with the organization, as reported by team observers and league sources (Source: team press updates).
Nichushkin’s situation has led to ongoing speculation about his participation with the Avalanche, including questions about his availability for an upcoming season. The club has not disclosed a definite timetable for Nichushkin’s return, and there is no public assurance regarding his return in the near term (Source: team communications).
The NHLPA player assistance program entered its third phase as part of ongoing efforts to support players dealing with personal matters. Transitioning through this phase involves a formal process, and the player enters a period of suspension without pay for at least six months. Following this suspension, Nichushkin would be eligible to apply for reinstatement, in line with league policy and the players association guidelines (Source: NHLPA program framework).
On January 15, 2024, reports indicated that Nichushkin, then 28 years old, would miss an indefinite stretch due to personal issues of an undisclosed nature. By late February, it was noted that Nichushkin had exited the NHLPA program. During his time with the Avalanche, Nichushkin had previously played a crucial role in helping the team secure the Stanley Cup in the 2021/22 season, with the Avalanche defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final series (Source: team records and historical season summaries).
There were earlier references implying changes within the Colorado locker room related to Nichushkin, with some reports mentioning a departure of a player associated with Nichushkin from the team environment. The broader takeaway centers on how roster movements and personal issues can influence team dynamics and future planning (Source: season recaps and locker room reporting).