Avalanche reportedly not interested in trading Valeri Nichushkin

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Cooper Godin
July 7, 2024 (10:24)

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The Colorado Avalanche are reportedly not interested in moving on from Valeri Nichushkin just yet, according to a TSN insider.

It's been just over a month since Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was placed in the third stage of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and while he's not able to exit the program until November, the team has zero interest in trading him at this time.

On his podcast recently, TSN's Chris Johnston shared that the Colorado Avalanche have told teams that they're not interested in trading the Russian forward and are hoping to help rehabilitate Valeri Nichushkin as a both a player and a person in the coming months before he's eligible to exit the program.

"And then you have Valeri Nichushkin, who is in stage three of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program," Johnston said. "He can't play before November under the terms of that arrangement. The Avalanche are telling teams right now, �we're not trading him during this window.' They're hoping to help rehabilitate the player and the person."

For those who are unaware of the stages of the Player Assistance Program, Stage 3, the one Nichushkin is in right now, is the second-highest step. Players who enter Stage 3 of the program would have violated the rules of Stage 2 and are suspended without pay for six months, meaning Nichushkin won't be able to exit until November 13th.

Everyone is hoping that Nichushkin is doing well right now and in a better place than he was nearly two months ago. Hopefully, once he exits the program, it won't be long until he's back on the ice and able to be a key part of the Avalanche's offense for the 2024-25 season.