I don’t hide the fact that I am a die-hard Colorado Avalanche fan. You can sense my disappointment then when I learned shortly before Game 4 in their second-round matchup against the Dallas Stars that Nichushkin would be unavailable. I figured an injury or the illness that has been going around the club. Boy was I wrong! Suspended for a minimum of 6 months due to violations of the league’s Player Assistance Program.
The loss of Nichushkin is huge for the Avalanche. Nichushkin was the leading playoff goal scorer for the club. Authority Athletics posted an article earlier this season on just how valuable Nichushkin was to the Avalanche, feel free to read that article here.
Before I write anymore, let me first start by saying I wish Valeri Nichushkin the best. I sincerely hope he gets the help he needs and is able to fend off the demons he is fighting. Furthermore, I hope he is able to rebound from this and continue a successful NHL career.
That can’t be with the Colorado Avalanche however! As far as I am concerned, Valeri Nichushkin’s time as a member of the Colorado Avalanche should be done. This marks two years in a row that he has let his teammates, coaches, and the fan base down during the NHL playoffs. He has likely lost all trust and credibility in the locker room. I’m sure players are irritated that they are answering questions about a player that isn’t even playing. It’s a huge distraction for a club trying to fight off elimination.
The Avalanche were largely responsible for resurrecting Nichushkin’s career after his time with Dallas. They gave him a second chance after he left the playoff series with the Kraken last year due to off ice personal matters. They gave him a second chance and he blew it. Look for the Avalanche to either terminate his contract if possible or find a different way to move on from Nichushkin this summer.
Either way, Valeri Nichushkin has likely played his last game as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.
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