Nichuskin suspended without pay for 6 months for violating NHLPA rules

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Nichuskin failed a drug test which violated the terms of the NHLPA's Player Assistance Program, which he has been a part of last year.

Last season, Nichuskin left the Avalanche in the playoffs during the first round, where somebody called 911 and found an unconscious woman in his hotel room. Since that event Nichuskin had entered the Player Assitance program, and he returned in February of this season.

This is a massive blow to the Colorado Avalanche roster with Nichuskin being one of their top offensive players. Through just 8 playoff games so far, Nichuskin has scored an incredible 9 goals and 10 points. Without him, the Avalanche will lose a significant amount of scoring, and may be overmatched by Dallas.

Now that Nichuskin has violated stage 3 of the player assistance program, he will have to wait the entire duration of his six month suspension before even applying to be reinstated into the NHL.

Obviously, Nichuskin is going through extreme personal issues and battling addiction. Hopefully now this is a wake up call, and he can begin his road to recovery.