Joe Sakic confirms Valeri Nichushkin's future in the NHL following his recent Seattle legal incident

Nichushkin has faced a challenging year after an incident during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. During the Avalanche's series against the Seattle Kraken, police were called to his hotel room in Seattle after staff found an intoxicated woman there.

Since then, Nichushkin has dealt with the fallout. He played 54 games last season but was later placed in Stage 3 of the NHL's Player Assistance Program and has been out of the lineup with no clear timeline for his return.

With the NHL season approaching, Sakic was asked about Nichushkin's potential return. Sakic confirmed that Nichushkin is on track to rejoin the team once his suspension ends, likely in November.

When he's focused, Nichushkin is one of the NHL's top power forwards. Before his suspension, he recorded 53 points in 54 games last season. The Avalanche are hoping he can return to this high level of play when he's back. However, if his performance declines, the team may need to weigh the risks of keeping him on the roster.