The Avs have displayed the value of Valeri Nichushkin since his return from the player assistance program

When he is on the ice, Nichushkin is a goal-scoring force. Especially come playoff time, where he just had seven over five games in a first-round series win against the Winnipeg Jets.

Valeri Nichushkin is lifting the Colorado Avalanche after taking the time to help himself. The big forward missed nearly two months of the regular season as he received care from the NHLPA/NHL Player Assistance Program for issues that have not been disclosed.