“You hate having that uncertainty" - Avalanche's Jared Bednar opens up on Valeri Nichushkin's suspension

During a press conference today, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar addressed the media. He talked about Valeri Nichushkin being suspended and the implications it had on the team.

In Game 6 of the Western Conference Second Round, Matt Duchene scored at 11:42 of the second overtime. His goal led the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, thus eliminating them from the playoffs at Ball Arena on Friday.

Following the game, Bednar candidly addressed the uncertainties facing the Avalanche, particularly regarding the futures of Nichushkin and captain Gabriel Landeskog.

"I mean. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know the answer to that. There's. You hate having that uncertainty because it makes it harder to plan for what, you know, for management. Right."

Bednar mentioned Avalanche GM, Chris MacFarland, and President Joe Sakic,

"For Chris and Joe, like, how do you plan, you know, they'll get clear on those guys' situations as best they can and then form a plan and go from there. I Don't know."

Valeri Nichushkin's suspension had cast a shadow over the team's postseason efforts. Bednar acknowledged the need to resolve this matter alongside Landeskog's situation to move forward effectively.

"I mean, you're hoping for answers and clarity so that you can build your team around them. It's obviously a couple of guys that have a significant cap hit."

"So I don't know where all that goes this summer and how quickly they get sorted out for July 1 (free-agency period begins July 1) or after that, but that's a challenge. It's a big challenge."

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Valeri Nichushkin's suspension and MacKinnon, Makar's response after the loss

Valeri Nichushkin got suspended for at least six months without pay after being placed in stage 3 of the NHL’s player assistance program. He missed the crucial second-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars. The announcement of his suspension had come an hour before Game 4.

Earlier after Valeri Nichushkin's suspension Coach Jared Bednar said:

“Val is obviously struggling with something,” Bednar said. ”Yeah, it sucks for our team. We’ve got to turn the page. I want him to be happy and I want him to be content in his life."

The Avalanche, struggling to find their rhythm, ultimately lost to Dallas Stars in a 2-1 elimination Game 6.

Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon, a Hart Trophy finalist with 4 goals and 10 assists in the postseason talked about the loss in a postgame interview.

“We fought hard,” MacKinnon said. “The effort was there the whole season.”

“A devastating result,” Makar said. “The year being where we all feel like we have a team that with all of our pieces can make a push for the whole thing.”

Now the Avalanche will look to reset and prepare for next season. This is where Bednar's leadership and honesty will be absolutely necessary.