New issue emerges in Valeri Nichushkin's Colorado Situation

"Nichushkin now in Stage 3 of the program.
A refresher of the program stages:

Stage One - First in-patient treatment; no penalty

Stage Two - For violation of Stage One treatment plan, suspension without pay during active phase of treatment and then eligible for reinstatement

Stage Three - For violation of Stage Two treatment plan, suspension without pay for at least six months and then eligible for reinstatement.

Stage Four - For violation of Stage Three treatment plan, suspension without pay for at least one year. Reinstatement not assured."

"#Avs Jack Johnson on Val Nichushkin:

«He made his decisions. That's all I'm going to say on that. He made his decisions.»

Nichushkin's nameplate has already been replaced in the Avs locker room."

"So what do the Avalanche do now? Well, they can try and trade Nichushkin, but good luck getting another team to take a chance on a player who won't be able to apply for reinstatement until sometime in November. They can try and buy him out of the remainder of his contract, but that will be even more costly than keeping him around."