Latest Valeri Nichushkin status update has Avs fans irate: “Serious liability" "Get that junkie away from our club"

The Colorado Avalanche shared an update on Valeri Nichushkin on Saturday, and fans are upset. The team tweeted that Nichushkin had arrived in Denver to start working out and skating alone. However, he remains in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHL Players' Association Player Assistance Program.

Many Avalanche fans reacted to Nichushkin's update on X.

“Get that junkie away from our club,” one said.

“Can we stop trying to count on Val? Honestly, nothing against him as I know he’s trying, but he’s a serious liability to the business,” another wrote.

"Re Valeri Nichushkin, it's the Avs decision, not subject to the judgment of anyone outside the Avs organization. It's easy to denigrate a player when you have no facts," a fan said.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"How long until Nichushkin is back to his usual tricks? If I was in that locker room I wouldn’t want him back. He’s handcuffing this team every year," a fan wrote.

"I've never got as many chances at my workplace as this Russian. He must have pictures of the owners engaged in weird cult activities," another wrote.

"The Avalanche are in need of HELP! This is NOT the team it was last year!!! The fault lies with ALL players and coaches!" a fan mentioned.

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Valeri Nichushkin's return crucial for Avalanche following six-month suspension

Valeri Nichushkin's suspension has caused concern for the Colorado Avalanche since it started back in May 13 during the 2023-24 NHL playoffs.

Nichushkin was performing well, scoring nine goals and ten points in eight postseason games. However, during an intermission check, he failed a random drug test. This led him to enter Stage 3 of the NHL/NHL Players' Association Player Assistance Program, alongside his six month suspension. The Avalanche, though remain commited to keeping him on the team.

The team today announced that Nichushkin has arrived in Denver. His return is crucial for the Avalanche as the look to address their 1-4-0 record to start the season. Several key players, like Artturi Lehkonen and Gabriel Landeskog, are currently injured.

The team has struggled, but will hope to address the slump with Nichushkin's return. The Russian winger is eligible to return to action around mid-November once he's done carrying out his suspension.