Valeri Nichushkin placed in NHLPA assistance program stage 3 - suspended without pay for min. 6 months

[eojsmada]

I'd be very, very surprised. And the NHLPA would rightfully go absolutely ballistic.

Depends on whether he signed a contract with the team understanding that he had already violated the substance abuse policy before his extension and there was any kind of clause in the contract that voids his contract should it reach a particular stage or higher, such as getting suspended.

 

[Canadienna]

How? He's got like six years left and nobody is trading for the guy. I'd be astonished if he agreed to mutual termination.

Tbh I kind of forgot he signed that big deal.

With a full NMC too. Yeah, on second thought you are probably right.

It just makes it tough for COL to do any real roster planning and sort of forces them to just hope that Nuke stays clean.

 

[333359]

Is this performance enhancing drugs or recreational generally?

 

[AslanRH]

You can have empathy for someone and not want to deal with them anymore…

sure, happens all the time.
Part of the reason I didn't quote any particular post or poster.
I'll let the world sort out those who take joy, feel empowered, or gain a sense of superiority from other's struggles.

 

[Penguin Suited Up]

I don’t agree with drug use but as long as it’s not PEDs I don’t see why it matters. There’s no way he’s the only one in the league using drugs. Assuming he’s a coke head or something that only negatively affects himself. Either way hopefully he gets the help he needs

Just to be clear, I hope Nichuskin can permanently recover from whatever he’s going through. I can’t begin to put myself in the shoes of someone going through any type of substance abuse issues. But doing drugs very rarely just affects the person taking them. It’s one of the most selfish things you can do, and it affects/hurts everyone in your life who cares about you.

 

[WillTheThrill]

PED’s?

 

[Jyrki]

You always hope that he can beat his demons, but Nichushkin has been given second and third chances every other plebian in here would never get the opportunity to have. If any HFer was caught in the same situations he's been, we would never sniff an ice rink again.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Depends on whether he signed a contract with the team understanding that he had already violated the substance abuse policy before his extension and there was any kind of clause in the contract that voids his contract should it reach a particular stage or higher, such as getting suspended.

I don't even know if that's allowed in the cba.

 

[toddkaz]

I love the takes. People with addictions don't have a right to make a living.

 

[BerthMania]

What’s wrong with it if he’s a cocaine user and works at a post office?

You’ve signed a contract that prohibites you from doing so, and you’ve violated that agreement.

Fine, then I can ask: Why is it required of workers to not use recreative drugs if it doesn't affect their work?

 

[Filthy Dangles]

I'd be very, very surprised. And the NHLPA would rightfully go absolutely ballistic.

It sucks that he has a problem, but he’s derailed two playoff runs now. Hes a liability and needs to go. Colorado org and players can never trust him again now that it’s happened twice.

They will probably scramble their lawyers and look for a way to rip up the contract with cause.

I’m thinking he’s off to Russia either way

 

[State of Hockey]

2nd straight year he's torpedoed his team's playoff chances. They just can't go on with him after this. As good as he is, it's not worth it.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Fine, then I can ask: Why is it required of workers to not use recreative drugs if it doesn't affect their work?

Puritanism and liability mostly.

 

[T REX]

Fine, then I can ask: Why is it required of workers to not use recreative drugs if it doesn't affect their work?

HUGE liability issues. Drug users are high risk for work accidents and costlier insurance.

I've had to pass drug tests for my last 3 or 4 jobs.

There are other reason you can Google.

 

[LaCarriere]

PED’s?

I doubt it. It's usually announced if it is.

My guess is it's something recreational.. alcohol, weed, cocaine and he probably had previous conditions from being in the assistance program twice before. At least that seems to be the speculation.

Remember last year he missed part of the playoffs for having a suspected hooker/escort highly intoxicated in his hotel room.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

It sucks that he has a problem, but he’s derailed two playoff runs now. Hes a liability and needs to go. Colorado org and players can never trust him again now that it’s happened twice.

They will probably scramble their lawyers and look for a way to rip up the contract with cause.

I’m thinking he’s off to Russia either way

He's done nothing illegal and firing a guy for having a disease is crazy illegal. Like not cba illegal like us court system illegal.

They could make this go away if Nichuskin wants it to go away but he's got thirty six million reasons not too.

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

He's done nothing illegal and firing a guy for having a disease is crazy illegal. Like not cba illegal like us court system illegal.

They could make this go away if Nichuskin wants it to go away but he's got thirty six million reasons not too.

Didn’t the Kings do a similar thing to Mike Richards?? The PA would try to fight it I’m sure

 

[Benneguin]

PED’s?

it's definitely performance ending.

 

[RooBicks]

He's done nothing illegal and firing a guy for having a disease is crazy illegal. Like not cba illegal like us court system illegal.

They could make this go away if Nichuskin wants it to go away but he's got thirty six million reasons not too.

Firing a guy for having a confirmed substance abuse problem that affects performance is most certainly not illegal, lol. Not saying it's necessarily the right move, but not illegal.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Didn’t the Kings do a similar thing to Mike Richards?? The PA would try to fight it I’m sure

Richards got arrested.

 

[WhataKnight]

There isn’t a clean approach.

Sucks because he’s an awesome player.

This is weird.

 

[LaCarriere]

2nd straight year he's torpedoed his team's playoff chances. They just can't go on with him after this. As good as he is, it's not worth it.

What are they going to do with him and that albatross of a contract? If he didn't have all these personal issues he's worth every penny, but I don't know how the avs get rid of him.

Salary retention is a poor option, even if another team is willing to take a stab at him and he's willing to waive his nmc.

Buyout... I guess, but it's not like the avs are swimming in cash to buy out his remaining 37M or whatever it is, but I'd hate to have even his buyout on the books. Tough situation to swallow for both the front office and avs fans.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Firing a guy for having a confirmed substance abuse problem that affects performance is most certainly not illegal, lol. Not saying it's necessarily the right move, but not illegal.

They've got a system in place and he's not even all the way through it. The league might waive the cap hit but if Nuke gets and stays clean he's getting most of his money.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

He's done nothing illegal and firing a guy for having a disease is crazy illegal. Like not cba illegal like us court system illegal.

They could make this go away if Nichuskin wants it to go away but he's got thirty six million reasons not too.

A little dramatic here

While he might notve been caught in the act, he’s obviously had to possess whatever substance he tested for, which is illegal.

And the contracts have morality clauses they will look to hammer down on.

It’s certainly a real possibility in my view

 

[Freudian]

I love the takes. People with addictions don't have a right to make a living.

How about this hot take.

The employee has responsibility towards his employer as well. Nuke has derailed two playoff runs in a row with his behavior.