Bleacher Report · May 14, 2024
Valeri Nichushkin Suspended for 6 Months; Avalanche RW into Player Assistance Program
The Colorado Avalanche will be without forward Valeri Nichushkin for the rest of the playoffs.
The NHL and National Hockey League Players' Association announced Monday that Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.
He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after the six-month timeframe that was revealed in the league announcement.
While the NHL didn't give a reason for the move, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported that "Nichushkin recently failed a drug test."