Valeri Nichushkin cleared to practice with Avalanche, remains in player assistance program

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) collects the puck against Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) in the second period of Game 3 of the second round of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in Denver on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)Valeri Nichushkin is one step closer to returning for the Colorado Avalanche.

Nichushkin was cleared to practice Monday with the Avs and was on the ice with the team at Family Sports Center. He remains in Stage 3 of the NHL-NHLPA Player Assistance program and isn’t eligible to apply for full reinstatement until the middle of this month. He has been skating and working out on his own away from the team for a few…