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Nash Daily: Avalanche’s Nichushkin, Canucks’ Soucy Suspended

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7 months ago

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Nichushkin
Photo of Valeri Nichushkin by David Russell for Nashville Hockey Now

The NHL announced two suspensions on Monday, and both could have a significant impact on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichsushkin has been suspended due to failing a drug test under his current probationary status in the NHLPA Player Assistance Program, which has four stages with the violation of each resulting in certain penalties.

Nichushkin violated Stage 2, which will result in him entering Stage 3 and being suspended without pay for a minimum six months. 

Generally speaking, Article 50.10(c) of the CBA would make a suspended player without pay not count against the salary cap for the duration of that suspension. Although this infraction would not immediately enable the Avalanche to terminate Nichushkin’s contract. The Russian signed an eight-year extension in July 22 with an AAV of $6.125. After this season, he is under contract for another six. 

Nichushkin has had an impressive playoffs and is fun to watch on the ice. Let’s hope he can figure things out personally, whatever the issue may be, and find himself back on the ice this winter.

The NHL Department of Player Safety also suspended Vancouver Canucks’ defenseman Carson Soucy for one game for cross-checking the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid at the end Game 4. Vancouver’s Nikita Zadorov was also fined $5,000 on the same play for cross-checking McDavid from behind.

Soucy’s suspension was the right decision, in my opinion, as it was clear what he was trying to do. Zadorov assisted Soucy, connecting with McDavid’s face, but the series of events required additional punishment, especially when the action is taken on a star player. 

Nashville Hockey Now

The Predators’ rebuild is ahead of schedule and Nashville Hockey Now’s Russell Vannozzi explains how head coach Andrew Brunette helped accelerate it.

Philip Tomasino’s future with the Predators may hinge on his performance in the Calder Cup Playoffs. NHN’s Michael Gallagher dove into what head coach Andrew Brunette and GM Barry Trotz want to see out of Tomasino in his AHL playoff run.

Predators forward Kiefer Sherwood has a strong case for a new contract after his breakout Year, and Vannozzi broke it all down.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Boston Hockey Now: Bruins GM Don Sweeney Defers To NHL On Officiating

Colorado Hockey Now: Reaction To Nichushkin News, ‘Atrocious’ Game

Florida Hockey Now: Bruins Not Losing to the Florida Panthers Because of Sam Bennett

Follow Clay Brewer on Twitter/X: @ClayBrewer10

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