Valeri Nichushkin cleared to practice with Avalanche, remains in player assistance program

Valeri Nichushkin is one step closer to returning for the Colorado Avalanche.

Nichushkin was cleared to practice Monday with the Avs and was on the ice with the team at Family Sports Center. He remains in Stage 3 of the NHL-NHLPA Player Assistance program and isn’t eligible to apply for full reinstatement until the middle of this month. He has been skating and working out on his own away from the team for a few weeks.

Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months and placed in Stage 3 of the program the day of Game 4 against the Dallas Stars during the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also missed nearly eight weeks during last season while in Stage 2 of the program.