Valeri Nichushkin suspended for six months in Phase 3 of the Player Support Program

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has been suspended without pay for at least six months after entering Phase 3 of the NHL’s Player Assistance Program, the NHLPA announced Monday.

Nichushkin can apply to be reinstated to the league after the six months are up.

Nichushkin, 29, led the Avs in goals in the postseason and scored a playoff-high nine goals in eight games. He will miss the remainder of the playoffs and is also expected to miss the start of next season.

Colorado will play Game 4 of its Western Conference semifinal series against the Dallas Stars on Monday night. The announcement of Nichushkin’s suspension came just hours before puck drop.

The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports that his sources say Nichushkin failed a drug test.

The Russian forward missed time earlier this season after joining the Player Assistance Program. Additionally, he missed the final five games of Colorado’s playoff series against the Seattle Kraken last season after leaving the team for personal reasons. Police reported that a woman was found drunk in his Seattle hotel room before Game 3 of this series.

Nichushkin signed an eight-year, $49 million contract extension with the Avalanche in July 2022.