Renck: Avs’ Val Nichushkin thankful for support of teammates, fans, hopeful can regain trust

In brief bursts Friday night at Ball Arena, a rowdy crowd told Valeri Nichushkin all is forgiven.

They cheered. They clapped. And they shouted “Choo!” when he handled the puck a minute into the game. While the “open arms” proclamation from the Avs organization deserves scrutiny, there was no question the fans welcomed Big Val back into their embrace.

To hear Nichushkin tell it after a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, the warm vibes from the fans and teammates could have melted the ice.

“I am in Denver the last month. So spending time with the guys is amazing. It’s been a very tough time in my life so I am kind of enjoying it right now. The guys had so many good words to support me from the first day. It’s a huge help,” said Nichushkin. “And of course I want to say thank you (to the fans). I meet so many people on the streets and like in restaurants and everybody (is) talking and support(ing) me.”

While Nichushkin has been buoyed by the outpouring of affection, the question of trust lingers. Nichushkin cleared the protocols of Stage 3 of the NHL player assistance program, ending his six-month suspension. It represents a step in the right direction. But even he is not sure this time will be different.

“I spent last six months pretty much working everyday. I have people in Russia around the year and we have made huge progress. I have changed my lifestyle, change in how I work out in gym. A lot of different things. I feel amazing. I feel like my mind is in the right spot right now,” Nichushkin said after logging 16 minutes and one shot on goal. “You know, like, pfffftttt, I have to say, I live right now by one day, you know, working, staying focused on my problems. Hopefully it will work.”

We all want Nichushkin well, valuing the person over the player. But the entire thing feels awkward. And let’s be clear, we wouldn’t be here if Val wasn’t so good.

The Avs are taking this roller coaster for a third ride after their open arms led to broken hearts last spring.

The risk is clear. Nichushkin submarined the past two playoff runs, sent home during a first-round exit to Seattle in 2023 and banned hours before the puck dropped in Game 4 of the club’s second-round series against Dallas, leading to another premature elimination.

Now, he is back. This is not a stunt. It is a must. With Gabe Landeskog skating but revealing no timetable for a return — what kind of impact will he have if he does come back? — the Avs need Nichushkin. He is rocket fuel to their engine, even if the odds suggest he will let the Avs down again.

At 29, Nichushkin deserves another chance to be defined by something other than off-ice disappointment. But did it have to be with the Avs? He never addressed the group when he came back, only discussing his recovery in snippets to a few teammates. Is that enough? Or at this point, do only actions matter?

“Actually, we have had a tough schedule. I have only talked to individual guys. So when they asked me I explained a little bit what is going on, pretty much everyone knows what happened,” Nichushkin said. “It’s not really that interesting, not that many questions.”

Nichushkin took a step forward Friday in showing responsibility, though he did not directly express remorse for his actions. He faced questions for 4 minutes, 30 seconds from nearly a dozen reporters. There were moments of vulnerability never seen from him before. It suggests that he took his recovery seriously.

“It was tough. A lot of work. A lot of things. I think I have made huge progress with my mental health and hope that it never happens again,” he said.

The fans rooting for him makes total sense. They want another downtown parade and that only happens with Nichushkin in uniform. Since the 2021-22 season, the Avs are 48-41-5 without him, an 88-point season pace. With him, they are 118-36-16, a 121-point pace that would annually win the President’s Trophy.

Nathan MacKinnon had no issues bringing the troubled star back into the fold after two weeks of practice. MacKinnon is the league’s best player, a hockey robot, who has always been more concerned about winning than feelings.

“It’s good for the team. He’s our friend. He’s a great guy to be around. A great teammate,” MacKinnon said. “A hell of a player. Really happy he’s back. It’s a big boost for us.”

A boost? Yes. A great teammate? Yikes.

Mikko Rantanen spoke bluntly about Nichushkin, saying the quiet part out loud.

“Well yeah, a good player. And that’s what we need. That’s all it is, you know,” Rantanen said. “We really need him.”

There remains a nuanced distinction with Nichushkin. It is possible to feel compassion while also holding him accountable. When Sam Girard entered the player assistance program, his honesty, his pain, made us sad.

When Nichushkin entered for the third time, it made us mad. That is not fair when widening the lens and looking at his life. But it is an emotion impossible to avoid when watching him play and what his presence means to this team.

“He is very unique. There are not many guys in the league with his size and skating ability, his strength and speed and can finish like he does,” coach Jared Bednar said. “The 200-foot game is exceptional. So I would say it’s very rare.”

When Nichushkin ducked an interview after the morning skate, it seemed like more of the same enabling that helped land the star in this position in the first place. His postgame presser represented a positive, public first step. And to be clear, he did not owe the media a news conference. But hopefully he talked because he knew he had an obligation to his organization and teammates.

They are in this together. There is no other viable option.

The length of Nichushkin’s contract — the eight-year deal runs through the 2029-30 season — provides cover for the Avs. He is difficult to trade without eating a huge chunk, and any acquiring team would be reluctant given that another suspension could result in a lifetime ban.

Keeping Nichushkin on the team in a significant role was the easiest path forward. But he has a lot to prove. And it feels odd, uncomfortable.

Ultimately whether the Avs are right hinges not on the cheers and support, but whether he can stay on the ice and reward their trust.

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