Valeri Nichushkin is making a big difference for the Colorado Avalanche after taking some time to focus on himself.
The fast and determined Russian forward was away for almost two months during the regular season as he sought help from the NHLPA/NHL Player Assistance Program for personal issues. This came after he missed the last five games of the previous season’s playoffs for similar reasons.
When he’s playing, Nichushkin is a strong goalscorer, especially during the playoffs. He scored seven goals in five games during the first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets. In the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022, he was the third-highest goal scorer on the team, with nine goals.
“Val is incredible,” said Casey Mittelstadt, a new addition to the Colorado team, which will face either Dallas or Vegas in the second round of the playoffs. “Absolutely incredible.”
This version of Nichushkin, particularly the one who’s “doing well” mentally, according to coach Jared Bednar.
Nichushkin was away from the team from January 13th to March 7th. He’s the second Avalanche player this season to enter the program, after defenseman Samuel Girard, who revealed in November that he was struggling with anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse. Girard returned in mid-December.
Since he came back, Nichushkin has been performing really well, no matter which line he’s on. Recently, he’s been playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon, who’s up for the Hart Trophy, and Mikko Rantanen.
Nichushkin’s seven goals in the first round were tied for the most in a playoff series in franchise history. This puts him in the company of Rantanen (first round in 2023), Hall of Famer Joe Sakic (1996 conference quarterfinals), and Réal Cloutier (1982 division finals).
“Nichushkin is doing really well,” said Bednar. “You want guys to be mentally healthy and taking care of themselves, and he’s doing that. He was playing well even when he wasn’t feeling great mentally. But for long-term success, you want your guys to feel great and be happy away from the rink. You want them to enjoy coming to the rink, and they’ll be more productive. He’s certainly doing that.”
Nichushkin isn’t much of a talker. He avoids interviews whenever possible, preferring to let his performance on the ice speak for itself.
“He’s playing incredibly well. It’s a big deal for everyone — for himself and for us,” said forward Andrew Cogliano. “It’s great to see someone who had some struggles and was able to overcome them and come out on the other side playing amazing.”
During a playoff series against Seattle last spring, Nichushkin suddenly left the team without giving much explanation, citing personal reasons. His absence began after authorities responded to a crisis call at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle before Game 3.
When officers arrived, they found a 28-year-old woman in an ambulance. Medics were directed to speak with an Avalanche team doctor for more information.
According to a report from the Seattle Police Department obtained by The Associated Press at the time, the Avalanche doctor informed officers that team staff discovered the woman while checking on Nichushkin.
The doctor mentioned that the woman seemed heavily intoxicated, too much so to have left the hotel “in a ride share or cab service,” and requested EMS assistance.
Before the season began, Nichushkin didn’t elaborate much on the situation, simply saying, “I know you guys want to find something there but it’s nothing really interesting. I think we should close it.”
Even though he only played 54 games, he scored a career-high 28 goals in the regular season. He also got his first hat trick in Game 4 against the Jets, with hats flying onto the ice at Ball Arena.
Teammate Artturi Lehkonen, who scored in every game of the Winnipeg series, said, “We all know what a great player he is. It’s hard to stop the big man.”
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Nichushkin is a strong presence who can also move fast. He’s tough to push around, especially when he’s in front of the net. He has three power-play goals, which is tied for the most in this season’s playoffs.
Coach Bednar said, “He’s solid in almost every area of the game. Players like that, you can’t even describe what they bring to the team.”
