It felt like déjà vu at media day for the Colorado Avalanche.
A year ago, the most pressing questions for the Avs’ top players and coach Jared Bednar were about Valeri Nichushkin, after he left the team during its first-round playoff exit against the Seattle Kraken.
Nichushkin isn’t alone among the key forwards who aren’t available at the start of this training camp, but he was yet again the key talking point Wednesday while he remains suspended from the team through at least mid-November.
“The reports are that Val is doing well and he’s making progress,” Bednar said. “We’ll get some information from the league at some point on if he can come in early and start skating with the team or on his own, just how much he’s going to be able to participate prior to his suspension ending.
“Then he’s back and we will welcome him with open arms.”
The Avs said they would welcome Nichushkin back with open arms a year ago as well. He had an incredible 2023-24 season when he was available.
Nichushkin scored 28 goals in 54 regular season games but missed nearly two months after entering the NHL-NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He scored nine goals in his first seven games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but Nichushkin was suspended the day of Game 4 of Colorado’s second-round series with the Dallas Stars and mandated to return to the player assistance program.
His suspension will run through at least mid-November, and there will be requirements for him to earn reinstatement. If he were to violate the terms of his reinstatement again, the next suspension would be for one year with no guarantee of a return.
“I think we’re going to have to have some discussions,” Bednar said. “That’s down the road a little bit. Val’s not here. I think that we’ll address it probably prior to Val being here, and then again, when Val gets here, I’m sure Val’s gonna have some things he wants to say to the group, but understanding again, that he is part of our team, and he’s a big, important piece to our team.
“That’s kind of what a team is. It’s a family and you’ve got to roll with the punches sometimes, but there’s also got to be some forgiveness there.”
Devon Toews also used the “welcome him with open arms” line when discussing Nichushkin. Ex-Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson made it clear he was not happy with Nichushkin’s decision-making that led to the suspension in the moments after a Game 4 loss to the Stars.
The Avs lost that series in six games, a second straight playoff exit that was earlier than the club anticipated. Bednar used the phrase “time heals all wounds,” but said he couldn’t say what the guys in the dressing room might need to hear or see from Nichushkin for the talented wing to earn back their trust.
Colorado Avalanche players Nathan MacKinnon, left, and Devon Toews during a press conference at The Inverness in Englewood, Colorado Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
“Nothing. I don’t think we need to hear anything,” forward Nathan MacKinnon said. “I can’t speak for everybody, but when he gets back I’m sure he’ll be in awesome shape like he always is. He was playing great when that happened. So yeah, I don’t really need to hear anything.”
Nichushkin won’t be the only critical forward missing when camp begins Thursday at Family Sports Center. Captain Gabe Landeskog is attempting to return after missing the past two seasons, but he’s not ready yet. Artturi Lehkonen is also going to miss the start of camp as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
“If anything, it makes it a more competitive camp,” Avs defenseman Cale Makar said. “There’s those spots that need to be filled, and we have a lot of depth and a lot of guys that we’ve signed and brought in to hopefully fill that, whether it’s rookies or, or up and down the lineup of veteran guys.”
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The Avs said Landeskog’s timeline was “12-16 months” after knee cartilage replacement surgery in May 2023. Landeskog told media and fans last month at the BMW Championship that he will play this season, but when is still in question.
Colorado is certainly operating as if he will play in 2024-25.
“He’s certainly making a lot of big strides. There’s a lot of hope there. His timeline is when he says he’s ready to go. It’s kind of been the same for a while, and I know he’s encouraged by the progress that he’s made, as are we.
“Over the last couple years, we’ve been able to go and replace him. We’re expecting him back, so we haven’t replaced him because he’s going to be with us, hopefully.”
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