Where is Valeri Nichushkin? Why Avalanche winger is suspended minimum of 6 months

The mission for the Avalanche when the playoffs began was to put the disappointment of 2023 behind the franchise and return to the mountaintop two years after winning the Stanley Cup. That mission just got much more difficult.

Missing from Colorado's brief 2023 playoff run was Valeri Nichushkin, who served as a key offensive piece during the organization's championship run the prior year. Nichushkin's absence wasn't injury-related, initially creating a mystery around one of the Avalanche's most important pieces.

Now, the Avalanche suddenly find themselves without Nichushkin again. The 29-year-old scored nine goals across Colorado's first eight playoff games, opening the playoffs with a goal in seven consecutive games before he was held scoreless in the team's Game 3 loss to the Stars on Saturday.

Here are the details on Nichushkin's absence and when he's expected to be on the ice again.

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Where is Valeri Nichushkin?

Nichushkin was suspended for a minimum of six months on Monday, the NHL announced . The league placed Nichushkin in stage three of its player assistance program, a step that mandates a six-month suspension.

Nichushkin will have to apply for reinstatement after six months, meaning he will miss at least the first month of the 2024-25 season.

The Avalanche winger first found himself in trouble just before the start of the playoffs in 2023, when he stepped away from the team and missed Colorado's first-round series loss to the Kraken.

The absence was mysterious at the time, but reports later detailed an incident at a Seattle hotel in which police were called and "intoxicated woman" was found in his room. No charges were ever filed, but Nichushkin was kept away from the Avalanche through the end of the season.

Here's a closer look at the reason for Nichushkin's latest absence.

What did Valeri Nichushkin do?

Nichushkin recently failed a drug test, according to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

While a failed drug test alone might not be enough for such a lengthy suspension, Nichushkin's prior placement in the NHL/NHLPA's Player Assistance Program mandated that he be moved to stage three and promptly suspended for a minimum of six months.

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What is the NHL Player Assistance Program?

The NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program was launched in 1996 and aids players dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues.

The program has four stages:

• Stage one: Entrance into the program; no penalty.
• Stage two: Violation of stage one triggers suspension without pay while player undergoes treatment.
• Stage three: Violation of stage two triggers suspension lasting a minimum of six months followed by an application for reinstatement.
• Stage four: Violation of stage three triggers suspension lasting a minimum of one year, with reinstatement not guaranteed.

Nichushkin entered the Player Assistance Program during this past regular season, and his suspension on Monday is an indication he was in stage two of the program at the time. That means the Seattle incident in April 2023 likely led to his entrance into stage one of the program.

Nichushkin's failed drug test moved him into stage three, ending his season amid an impressive playoff run with nine goals through eight games.