Controversial Colorado Avalanche Forward Valeri Nichushkin to Return to the NHL
This afternoon the Colorado Avalanche have confirmed that controversial Russian forward Valeri Nichushkin will be returning to the team's lineup.
The Colorado Avalanche are set to face off against the Washington Capitals next week on Friday.
According to a new report from Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar that game will be the setting for forward Valeri Nichushkin to return to the team's lineup.
The return comes after Valeri Nichushkin spent the last six months away from the team as he was placed in the NHLPA's Player Assistance Program. He entered the program after breaking his commitments from the first time he was placed in the program.
This was Valeri Nichushkin's second time being placed in the NHLPA Player Assistance Program after being in the program originally in January of 2024.
Despite all the controversy and struggle surrounding Valeri Nichushkin over the last year, the Colorado Avalanche have continued to support him in his recovery. He eventually returned to the ice a couple of weeks ago and now will return to game action this upcoming weekend.
When he is at his best Valeri Nichushkin is one of the best power forwards in the entire NHL.
Last season before leaving the team Valeri Nichushkin was on a tear with 53 points in 54 total games with the Colorado Avalanche.
It remains to be seen if Valeri Nichushkin has finally figured out all of the various problems that led him to be in the NHLPA Player Assistance Program. If he has then this could be a good redemption story but if not it might not last long.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 10 | 124 ANSWERS Controversial Colorado Avalanche Forward Valeri Nichushkin to Return to the NHL Do you think Valeri Nichushkin deserves to be able to return to the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 53.2 % |
| No | 58 | 46.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||