Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin drops truth bomb after return to lineup

Valeri Nichushkin made his 2024-25 season debut on Friday night after spending six months in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player’s Assistance Program. And although it was a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals at Ball Arena, the Colorado Avalanche forward is just happy to put a difficult period behind him.

“It was tough,” Nichushkin told reporters after the defeat, including The Denver Post’s Corey Masisak. “A lot of work. A lot of things. I think I have made huge progress with my mental health and hope that it never happens again.”

The Russian continued: “I spent (the) last six months pretty much working every day. I have people in Russia I work with (year round) and we have made huge progress. I have changed my lifestyle, change in how (I) workout in gym. A lot of different things. I feel amazing. I feel like my mind is in the right spot right now. My shape, even like today — I was thinking it would be way harder, but I feel pretty good.”

Nichushkin played just under 20 minutes in his season debut, registering a shot on goal and a hit. He skated on the second line with Casey Mittelstadt and Jonathan Drouin along with the second powerplay unit.

It was Nichushkin’s first taste of game action since he was suspended and returned to the player assistance program ahead of Game 4 of Round 2 against the Dallas Stars in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avs lost that series in six games.

Nichushkin was excellent in the 2023-24 regular-season, amassing 28 goals and 53 points in just 54 games. But he was suspended again during the campaign and placed in Stage 2 of the program.

The hope is that Nichushkin can remain a fixture in Colorado’s lineup for the foreseeable future as the team looks to bounce back from a mediocre start to the 2024-25 campaign.

Valeri Nichushkin’s return was a tough loss for Avalanche