The Colorado Avalanche learned shortly before puck drop that Val Nichushkin, their best player in these playoffs, was suspended for six months due to going back into the players assistance program for a third time. What the future holds for Nichushkin off the ice is obviously not known right now. But on the ice, it is a massive loss.
It showed in Game 4 with the Dallas Stars, who now hold a 3-1 series lead after their 5-1 victory.
Not only were the Avs down Nichushkin, they were also down Devon Toews. A late scratch due to an illness, we will have to wait and see if Toews can return for Game 5.
A difficult day all around that started with so much promise with the return of Jonathan Drouin. We break it all down. Tune in, subscribe and enjoy.
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29 Comments
last time ive heard stage 3 was when my father came home with his cancer diagnose. it wasnt good…
I feel the worst for Parise. Obviously sad for Val. I’ve never dealt with addiction personally, don’t understand it, but you got to put your big boy pants on for your team. Lean on them instead of your substance of choice. Knowing this is Parise’s last season is a bummer for sure, I thought they would get him that elusive cup. But just too much to overcome in this series. You know the whole team was deflated because of the Val situation. It was incredibly visible on the ice. Easily the worst game the Avs have played this year. Who would have thought that georgiev would be their best player this playoffs! Very proud of him. I don’t see the Avs digging out of this one boys…
Shaggy val definitely did decide to do what he did. He's a grown man paid millions and was coddled twice before. I've had family and friends deal with addiction too, it's ALL A CHOICE, THEIR CHOICE. SELFISH. Time to move on
As a Dallas stars fan I never want a player to be going thru this regardless what team you’re on. I really hope this time he can get the help he needs. Dude is a phenomenal player and that’s super sad he’s gonna miss out on the rest of the playoffs
This series has been a disappointment the AVS have been outplayed out coached been dominated at home in on their way out their offense has been shut down Rantanen and MacKinnon have been no shows their best player Nichushkin is suspended for 6 months really thought it would be a seven game series they was good enough to make it to the NHL finals they dont have the drive like 2020 team that won the cup I'm not surprised I thought they would lose to the Jets didnt think their performance was that good towards the end of the season its show up against Dallas
I'm a Jets fan, and the Avs kicked us, but I like these guys. Good show.
Quick trivia for Avs fans…. Who was the Stars first round pick, 10th overall in 2013, nine picks after Colorado selected MacKinnon? Hint: He’s currently suspended. We know how big of a knucklehead he can be and I wish his actions hadn’t affected the series that should have been one of the best in 2024.
There's an idea. Putting Malinski out in the playoffs…no way. I'm so not looking forward to how small this Avs team is about to get. Losing Nichushkin the one power forward is a huge hit for future. Adding small Malinski, Behrens to already small ass Girard and avg sized Toews Makar…Josh Manson is going to die trying to defend for this team. MacFarland has gone overboard on speed and Dallas/DoBoer are exposing the shit out of it again. I'm ready to Fire MacFarland! Bednar is only doing what he can with what he's given, and he's given a bunch of weaklings.
People seem to forget how they're also human and have faults. Hes done great for the Avs. HE'S valuable. He's gone, and the team crumbles. Stop the foolishness. People have episodes in their life. One day you'll eat those nasty comments when he carries us to another shiny cup
Here’s why everyone should be holding out hope. I think the Avs season ends on Wednesday BUT, I’m almost always wrong when it comes to sports predictions. I was sure the Nuggets were cooked, I thought the Avs would lose to the Jets before the series started and I sure as sh*t thought Georgiev may have played his last game in burgundy after round one/game one. I also thought the Avs would win this series handily just over a week ago. I rarely bet on sports but if I did, I’d be wise to bet against whatever I’m expecting to happen as I’d likely be retired by the end of 2024 if I did 😂
Does anyone know what substance val is using?
For being an Avalanche channel, your criticism of people being mad at Val is totally off base. We, as fans, put a lot of energy, time, and emotion into this team. Val screwed us two years in a row.
Also, if you all want to start a mental health channel, go ahead. We are here for the Avs.
I have a 40 year old stepson who goes through addiction cycles and it is heartbreaking every time he falls. I know we have people upset over the playoffs, but it’s not like he woke up one day and said, “I think I want to put myself, family, teammates, and fans through hell today.” He’s a fallible human battling demons I don’t wish on my worst enemy. I hope he gets the help he needs to get the upper hand and support structure to keep it because it’s easy to fall again without it. Prayers big guy, we will all back check for you.
Addiction is not cancer, stop it on your high horse.
Don't see the Avs coming back personally. What I'm saying is I don't see them winning 3 games in a row, let alone against Dallas.
This dude could be accused of been suspended because of rape accustions, and these 2 dudes would find a way to coddle him saying it's not his fault because of his rough upbringing
The players, through collective bargaining and their union, decided this is the way. What don't you get? Many people aren't discussing the way he's affected his teammates. Many folks that experience this must hit rock bottom before they turn it around. He is far from rock bottom.
Just going off the game rn, this feels like seasons over i dont see them coming back from 3-1
I'm a Stars fan, but I grew up in Texas and Colorado, so Avs are sort of a second team for me (although my Avs fandom is centered primarily on the Roy-Sakic-Forsberg era) It was great to see Nichushkin start to get things turned around in Denver. I hope he can come back from this, but it feels like 6 months might as well be a year. He's going to have a hard time getting into hockey condition once his suspension is up.
Man what a refresh of a locked on podcast. I'm a blues fan and we have the most annoying host of all time. She doesn't know shit just repeats what the local radio station says.
The dudes a class A scumbag bro shit up about Val and his “demons” he had an underage undocumented “hooker” in his hotel room a calendar year ago.
As an AVS fan, GUT PUNCH & couldn't believe what I heard. As an addict, sobriety ain't easy & the 1st year kinda felt like free solo climbing while balancing life on your face. I feel for him & hope he gets all the help he needs from the AVS.
bye bye, back to barbaria
Players only get paid during the regular season, not the playoffs. Val's health and well being are the priority.
If you told me Georgie would be our best player 3 straight games, I'd have made some extremely irresponsible bets. Had to laugh when Duchey whiffed 1 on 1 with Georgie bc not even a former AV could get a sog🤣
Stars fan here again… All crap talk aside. Hope Val and his family make it through the next chapter they are in. Prayers for a good journey to getting better for them. Former stars players are still very loved by the stars fanbase. Serious stuff aside…
Dallas very well suffocated the avs in game 4. Getting uno mas closer to my insane prediction of Stars in 5. I cant see a way the avs bounce back, what do you guys think of the possibility of them doing something drastic to bounce back into this series? Is there anything the big 3 names can do? Would calling up from a ahl be a possibility? Do the avs have any other possibile line mix up/call ups/ adding to stop Dallas from stepping on avs neck?
The way Wyatt Johnston pickpocketed MacK was damn near illegal for a player of MacKs caliber. Was it carelessness or just unbelievable play by Johnston?
Why would his employer keep paying him if he cant live up to his end of the contract due to his own choice, especially after his third suspension? And were not talking about chump change either.