The Colorado Avalanche have been hit hard by injuries to start the 2024-2025 season, but they were also missing a key forward thanks to an NHLPA Player Assistance Program effort. Valeri Nichushkin has been out of the Avalanche lineup since Game 3 of the second round against the Dallas Stars.

It can not be any official releases or statements, but the Avalanche have elevated Nichushkin to active and he is ready to return to the lineup. When the puck drops between the Avalanche and the Washington Capitals, Nichushkin will be it makes his season debut.

Nichushkin has had several stints in the player assistance program, this latest run comes with a six-month suspension.

The rest of the Avalanche team, coaching staff and front office are happy to have Nichushkin back and happy that he seems to be in a much better place.

“He looks good,” the superstar teammate Nathan MacKinnon said. “He’s healthy, he’s happy. It seems like he’s in a great mood, a great place and I’m sure he’s really excited to be doing what he loves again.”

Nichushkin returned to Denver to start skating on my own a few weeks ago but had not yet been approved for a return.

His return will begin Nichushkin’s 10th NHL season and sixth with the Avalanche. In 512 career games played, he has scored 116 goals and 158 assists for a total of 274 points.

The Avalanche also return the forwards Miles Wood and Jonathan Drouin after their own stops on the damaged reserve. There’s still some damage to work through, but the Avalanche is nearing full health.

After a rocky start, the Avalanche will be a tough team to play once they get their entire roster back.

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