Valeri Nichushkin Suspended for 6 Months; Avalanche RW into Player Assistance Program

The Colorado Avalanche will be without forward Valeri Nichushkin for the rest of the playoffs.

The NHL and National Hockey League Players' Association announced Monday that Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.

He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after the six-month timeframe that was revealed in the league announcement.

While the NHL didn't give a reason for the move, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported that "Nichushkin recently failed a drug test."

Seravalli also noted that the forward missed multiple playoff games last season "after a 911 call in Seattle in which an intoxicated woman was found in his room."

In January, ESPN provided further explanation for the Player Assistance Program. It was created in 1996 and is available for players and their family members who are struggling with issues such as mental health and substance abuse.

Those who are in the program have access to counseling, treatment and a hotline to speak to mental health professionals.

This comes as Nichushkin has been excellent for the Avalanche during the playoffs. He has nine goals and one assist in 10 postseason games and even notched a hat trick during a Game 4 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.

He is tied with Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers for the most goals in the postseason.

Colorado is trailing the Dallas Stars 2-1 in its second-round series and will look to tie the series at two games apiece during Monday's contest.