Avalanche Hoping To Have Valeri Nichushkin Join Practice in Early November

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — There is a strong possibility that Valeri Nichushkin will be back in the lineup in either five or six games.

Head coach Jared Bednar said again on Thursday that the team is working to get him back as soon as possible. They’re not interested in stretching this out. Nichushkin is skating on his own away from the team but there is a strong possibility he’ll be practicing with the team in early November ahead of his eligible reinstatement date of Nov. 13.

“I don’t know exactly what the date’s going to be just yet, but we’re hoping it’s early this month,” Bednar said following Thursday’s practice at Family Sports. “If he can join our team and start practicing early this month, which sounds like that’s a very good possibility. Then in our heads, we’re waiting for the 15th or 13th, or whatever they give us, somewhere in that range that he can play.”

Bednar credited Nichushkin in the past for remaining in shape during his suspension. He has a reputation for being a bit of a workout fanatic. And as Bednar reiterated on Thursday, that’s certainly going to help get him up to speed sooner.

Nichushkin was exceptional earlier in 2024 after missing a couple of months during his last stint with the Player Assistance Program. He didn’t need much time to get back up to speed and produce.

“From talking with Val, he feels like there’s no problem. He’ll be ready as soon as they clear him,” Bednar said. “So he’s going to have a little bit of time with our team to practice before he’s cleared to play. That can’t hurt him either. Hopefully we get him back sooner than later.”

The Avs are also expecting to have Artturi Lehkonen back next Tuesday at home against Seattle. Miles Wood is out for about a week and Jonathan Drouin is still day to day.

There’s a very good possibility that within the next two weeks, Colorado will have all four of Nichushkin, Lehkonen, Drouin, and Wood back in the lineup.