would welcome Nichushkin back with open arms a year ago as well. He had an incredible 2023-24 season when he was available.
Nichushkin scored 28 goals in 54 regular season games but missed nearly two months after entering the NHL-NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He scored nine goals in his first seven games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but Nichushkin was suspended the day of Game 4 of Colorado’s second-round series with the Dallas Stars and mandated to return to the player assistance program.
His suspension will run through at least mid-November, and there will be requirements for him to earn reinstatement. If he were to violate the terms of his reinstatement again, the next suspension would be for one year with no guarantee of a return.
“I think we’re going to have to have some discussions,” Bednar said. “That’s down the road a little bit. Val’s not here. I think that we’ll address it probably prior to Val being here, and then again, when Val gets here, I’m sure Val’s gonna have some things he wants to say to the group, but understanding again, that he is part of our team, and he’s a big, important piece to our team.
“That’s kind of what a team is. It’s a family and you’ve got to roll with the punches sometimes, but there’s also got to be some forgiveness there.”
Devon Toews also used the “welcome him with open arms” line when discussing Nichushkin. Ex-Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson made it clear he was not happy with Nichushkin’s decision-making that led to the suspension in the moments after a Game 4 loss to the Stars.
The Avs lost that series in six games, a second straight playoff exit that was earlier than the club anticipated. Bednar used the phrase “time heals all wounds,” but said he couldn’t say what the guys in the dressing room might need to hear or see from Nichushkin for the talented wing to earn back their trust.