Nichushkin Faces Setback in Injury Recovery
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is experiencing a setback in his recovery from a lower-body injury, and it looks like he won’t be returning to the lineup anytime soon.
Status Updated to Week-to-Week
Coach Jared Bednar updated Nichushkin’s status on Wednesday, calling him “week-to-week.” Bednar expressed concern about the timeline, noting, “Any time without Val is worrisome. Now we don’t have a solid timeline on his return.” Bednar explained that a setback like this means starting the recovery process over again.
Setback During Practice
Nichushkin had appeared close to returning when he practiced with the team on Sunday. However, he couldn’t finish the entire session.
Mental Challenge of Injury Recovery
Teammate Mikko Rantanen shared his thoughts on the difficulty of injuries, saying, “It’s not fun. I’ve been there, too. You feel like you’re getting back and feeling better, and then something happens. Mentally, it’s probably the toughest part.” He believes Nichushkin, being a veteran, will eventually bounce back.
Off-Ice Challenges Earlier
Nichushkin faced challenges earlier this year when he was suspended last May and placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. This came during the Avalanche’s playoff run, marking the second consecutive postseason where he couldn’t play due to off-ice reasons.
Season Performance Before Injury
The 29-year-old forward missed the first 17 games of the season before making his debut on November 15 against Washington. He has 11 goals and 6 assists in 21 games so far. However, he hasn’t played since New Year’s Eve and remains an important part of Colorado’s offense. The team has a strong record of 209-74-27 with him in the lineup.
Team Impact and Support
Teammate Logan O’Connor commented on the situation, saying, “Everyone wants to be out there. You may try and push yourself a little quicker than you probably should, and it can result in a setback. It’s just the way it is. It’s motivation to come back and help guys out, help the team out. It’s unfortunate what happened to Val.”
