The Cost Of Addiction

I don't think anyone would deny that Valeri Nichushkin was having himself a heckuva postseason. After terrorizing the Jets for five games, it seemed the big Russian winger was set to give his former team, the Dallas Stars, nightmares as well. With Colorado trailing 2-1 in the series, they needed all their best players to step up, but Valeri Nichushkin was, instead, forced to step away by the NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance Program as he entered Stage 3 of the program this morning, starting a six-month suspension without pay. Clearly, he won't be in the lineup tonight for Game Four, but this latest lapse of judgment and intelligence may have just cost him his job with the Avalanche. That's the cost of addiction.

For a guy who signed an eight-year, $49 million deal on July 11, 2022 that would likely guarantee the majority of his career in Colorado, it seemed like he had everything. He was a Stanley Cup champion in 2022. He was playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon on the top line. He had that massive, long-term contract that would see him live comfortably. And with the Avalanche built as they are, it seemed he could add more rings to his jewelry box while being one of the key cogs in Colorado's success.

Today's removal from the team likely calls all of that into question as this is now the second time that Nichushkin was removed from the team during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last season, he was removed from the team after a strange incident in Seattle during the first round of the 2023 playoffs, allowing Seattle to upset the Avalanche in seven games. It was later revealed that a nearly unconscious, intoxicated woman was found in his hotel room needing medical attention. The young woman repeatedly stated "he's crazy" during the incident without ever identifying who "he" is, and, for the record, Nichushkin was cleared of all wrongdoing after an investigations by both the Seattle Police Department and the NHL.

Midway through this season, Nichushkin voluntarily entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in January, stating that his goal was to "address my issues and prevent any negative outcomes once and for all". When he returned in March, it seemed that Nichushkin had gotten the help he needed as he seemingly played the game like a changed man. He used his 6'3" frame to cause chaos around the net, and the hands that made him tenth-overall pick in 2013 looked like they had returned as Colorado prepared for the playoffs.

We watched Nichushkin cave the roof in on the Jets as he was everywhere in the offensive zone, and he was a big reason why the Avalanche are playing against Dallas right now. His removal from the team today, though, makes this the third time he's been away from his team at a critical time in their season with no explanation other than he's seeking help. And while I get that his privacy should be protected, one has to wonder how he is continually finding ways to put his attendance on the roster in jeopardy.

"Val is obviously struggling with something," Colorado coach Jared Bednar told reporters after their Monday loss matter-of-factly. Bednar is clearly correct as Nichushkin's reason for his absence would be kept private from even his coach, but you have to think that Bednar might be seething with anger over Nichushkin's selfishness on the inside. His next words to reports, though, seemed to be more reflective than angry.

"I've gotten to know Val as a person and I've gotten to know him as one of our teammates" Bednar continued, "and I want what's best for him. I want him to be happy and I want him to be content in his life, whether that is with our team or not with our team. I want the best for him and his family. I think all of our guys are the same. We hope that he can find some peace and get help. That's the other side of it. Hockey is not life and death, even though we treat it like it is. Val is a big priority, and our team is another one. Now they are separated. They're not together."

Bednar's tone was far better than teammate Jack Johnson's tone when he told Denver Post's Cory Masisak, "He made his decisions. That's all I'm going to say on that. He made his decisions," while Masisak also noted that Nichushkin's nameplate above his usual locker had been removed.

I'll be honest: Nichushkin does need help with whatever addiction or vice he's battling. And Nichushkin also made a selfish decision that may cost his team a chance at a Stanley Cup. The Colorado Avalanche will need to address this once he's reinstated by the NHL, but caring for the person, as Bednar said, is not the same as one man making a decision that sees him abandon 25 other people. I want Nichushkin to overcome his demons, but Jack Johnson's statements are entirely correct: he made his decisions.

I have no idea what the Avalanche will do with Nichushkin, but it seems like there are few people in the locker room who aren't willing to give him a third or fourth chance. I can't blame them because the old "fool me once" adage holds true here. There will be some tough conversations over the next few months in Denver as to what to do with Nichushkin, and I'm not sure there's a right answer when it comes to his future. What seems clear, though, is that everyone would prefer him on the ice rather than being in the Player Assistance Program.

Despite this being Valeri Nichushkin's demons to deal with, it's affecting his teammates, his employment with the team, and potentially his employment elsewhere in the league. I do hope he can finally bury these demons, but losing the support of his teammates, coaches, management, and fans while potentially making himself radioactive to 31 other teams is, unfortunately, the potential cost of his addiction.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!