The Avs played a coy game last year with Nichushkin and covered for him. There’s no doubt that something very illicit, disgusting, and borderline criminal occurred in Seattle, yet we weren’t supposed to question it,but were told, instead, that it was none of our business. True, however, as a season ticket holder and fan, I think that a some transparency would have been apropos. Val failed his team last season, this regular season, and yesterday and the next 6 months. It’s not heartless or disgusting to cut ties. Harsh “love” can sometimes be the best “love,” as it leads to true recovery. There was dishonesty and lack of accountability a year ago. How’s that working for us?
Thanks AD again for your insight. I was at the game last night and I was surrounded by Avs fans. A lot of them felt the way I did. Mostly disgusted, hurt and angry. But I was more disgusted with myself. On the way to the game, I was riding the light rail when my brother texted me and told me about the suspension. I looked down and saw I was wearing Nichushkin jersey. When I got in Ball Arena I went to the team store for a replacement. I met a few others doing the same thing. Telling those fans I can't support Nichushkin right now. When I woke up this morning I replayed my actions from last night and thought.. Where is my compassion does winning mean more to me than another human being who is struggling with demons. I saw in the post game interviews from the players to the coach this has hit them hard. They have lost the trust they had in Nichushkin. There is nothing anyone can do right now. On a side note I guess I had karma for my thoughts last night and got pulled over. Cop gave me only a warning whew..
That's kind a wild. I only have 2 Avs shirts myself, one of them with number 13 - the other Valeri though. With my soccer shirts, I really prefer to get them as blanks, i.e. no name and number, in part because my club is just way more important to me than any given player. These are team sports after all! And players just come and go. Few stick around for the long haul.
Having said that, blank hockey jerseys look a bit weird though, which is probably why I only have 2...#13 Kamensky and #8 Makar.
Can't blame you for your mini identity crisis at all!
Thanks AD. As someone in long term recovery, I know firsthand what it feels like to let people down, over and over, at the worst possible time. What I needed to learn was that while my addiction is not my fault, it's damn sure my problem, and I need to deal with it. Val and his family have a long and difficult road ahead. But the Av's are a great group, and I hope they can bounce back. For my part, I couldn't help but wonder what Sammy G was feeling last night; and the outcome notwithstanding, I thought he played great.
"If you’ve never struggled with substances of any kind, then you just can’t understand the power they can have over you. They are powerful enough to make a grown man, with a family, an eight-year, $49 million contract and fans from all over, choose the drug over all of that."
Thank you AD for this. This is where people like you and me can best inform those ignorant of the disease of addiction. My use of alcohol almost cost me my job and I try to educate people about addiction and assistance programs. Too many people think it is a lifestyle choice and that people are bad for their addictions. How many people last night and today have called Nichushkin a bad person or said he must have been using cocaine or abusing his spouse? How many people want him fired yesterday, without knowing how the NHL CBA works or how assistance programs work?
I posted this on another site, but it is worth also posting for the readers here:
"Substance abuse/addiction is a disease, just like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. One does not choose to have it and it can strike anyone. Mental diseases, to include addiction issues and depression, are not curable. They can be treated, but they will never go away. Like other diseases, there are varying levels of how serious it can be. Some people have an easier time with treatment and recovery, while others do not.
While substance abuse is a disease, many wrongly treat it as a lifestyle choice or character issue. It is not. For this reason, it is not always thought of properly. Many archaic and ignorant views still rule and society has been slow to accept it.
The reason Nichushkin and Girard are able to seek help, with job protections, is because of their union and CBA's. Without those protections, they and many others in the NHL, could possibly have been fired. As many rightfully say, people are still accountable for their actions, to include those suffering from addiction. That said, just because someone has an addiction issue, it is not necessarily against the law or employment rules. Girard was very open after the fact about his issues, while Nichushkin has been silent. None of us know what his issues are. To say it must be cocaine or vodka or wife beating is not just ignorant, but irresponsible.
How many people in Colorado would fail a drug or alcohol test? Both can be legal to use, but not necessarily legal for some job performers. Did you use a drug while on vacation, but it has no affect on your job 2 weeks later or even the next day? People do it all the time. Part of the NHL Player Assistance program, like many employee assistance programs, includes accountability measures, like drug tests. The tests can show drug or alcohol use up to 3-4 weeks, depending on the drug or amount used. For those in drug sensitive jobs or in a substance abuse program, a positive is a positive.
Athletes, just like doctors, lawyers, celebrities, military members, and other highly successful people, have lost their jobs and careers because of their disease. That does not make them bad people. It makes them people who have an illness that they are unable to control. There is accountability for one's actions and disease. If someone can no longer do their job because of cancer, heart disease, or some other ailment, there are usually protections for them. If, however, they cannot be accommodated, they can lose their job. The same will go for hockey players. Nothing is guaranteed, but people have to show they are trying. That is why there are several tiers in the NHLPA program, with the end tier not guaranteeing reinstatement.
Now this part is speculation on my part. I have no idea what ails Nichushkin. My suspicion has been pain killers. I can totally believe that Nichushkin was skating in pain last year after his foot was shattered in the playoffs. Pain killers seem to be a hush hush remedy among athletes, that the sports do not really want to talk about. Is that his issue? I do not know. Do many athletes, to include hockey players, use pain killers? My guess is yes, but it is up to the sport how use is regulated or prohibited. Being in an assistance program for drugs or alcohol most likely prohibited ANY use of certain drugs and alcohol.
What ever happens to Nichushkin role with the Avs, is up to management, the NHL, and the CBA. I do expect the team to look at every option available and do what is best for the team, but it has to be done within the framework of the league and CBA."
Thanks for your insight. I can tell you last night because I was at the game. Fans we're hurt, angry and confused, most were saying let him go back to Russia. I was one of them. I have never struggled with an addiction. Just watching the post game interviews I saw hurt on the players, and coach face. They have lost trust in Val. Hopefully he can find the strength to fight for himself. I know CMACK and Sakic will give Val support but they also need to support the players too. Someone made a comment that his name plate in the locker room is gone and replaced. Was it too soon to do that not sure. Did the rest of the players want to forget about him right now not sure. Time will tell.
People with mental health/addiction issues have hurt many people in their lives, both directly and indirectly. Those are consequences that people with these problems must live with. Forgiveness does not come easy or sometimes ever. Trust issues will follow them forever. Nichushkin may never be able to regain that trust with the Avs. He will need to accept that. Emotions fly high on all sides of the problem, but it needs to be approached rationally. That is all that can be asked for.
I, too, felt disappointment for the Avs and fellow fans. We with problems feel disappointment and anger too, but we also understand that the disease makes people do things that are not rational and that recovery can be extremely hard. That disappointment, however, did not make me call him a bum or say he must have been doing cocaine or committing crimes. We think about what caused relapses and remind people that it is common to relapse and struggle. If it wasn't, addiction would not be an issue or cause so many deaths and despair.
I appreciate you, Adrian! Some folks locally just can’t dissociate a disliking for you from the great work you do to get a scoop. They will make up any excuse/lie otherwise to not acknowledge the credit deserved in a situation like that. A nonsensical rinse and repeat of last year. It’s just a fan club of this team that I will never fully get. That said, putting a couple folks on blast was probably not the best move but I understand the pride in your work for which it comes from.
Thank you Mark. I'm the first to admit I can come off as a total prick on Twitter sometimes. The real me is a whole lot nicer. I guess I just got triggered a bit too much last night, but my overall point stands
You don’t have to apologize for being the best Avs reporter AD. What’s petty is the kiss ass, let’s all just be friends coverage that goes on with these up and comers who think they need paid top dollar to write what’s basically an AP story.
I tuned into the DNVR's pre-game and post game coverage. Getting Eric Lacroix's insight can be super interesting. But I had to tune out because they made this weird decision to talk about the game as if the Nichushkin thing hadn't happened. Like what is the point??
Well put Danny. There once was a distinct separation within print journalism between news reporting and editorial/feature (just as there was the same split between play-by-play and analyst). When I read a recap of a game, it should be 90-99 percent factual. The other 1-10 percent should be using non-factual but verifiable information to further inform as to the factual material (which often is the "why" in the old KC Star Style Guide that was good enough for Hemingway). On the other hand, when we read editorial/feature/analysis - we want the insight provided that even further informs us as to why something occurred, as well as related information that informs on those other elements (eg "Dog got out of yard. Owner left gate unlocked and dog likely was attracted by squirrel in neighbor's yard. Dog has habit of chasing squirrels."). Great comment Danny. Dead on center mass as to why following AD is such a pleasure.
AD, you are an honorable man, and have what is called ethics, both professional and personal. People don't seem to like those qualities much these days, so it speaks for who you are if you are getting slack, people are jealous that no matter how many times they smack you down, you get right back up.
Yesterday was an emotional day for every Avs fan, between the thing with Val, Toewes and the loss all compouded that you end up being the object of scorn. We love you big fella, and I mean big!!
1) AD - I have not seen one instance in all of the years I've followed your work where I would pick the side of those others over your's. You are an ethical (upfront, take responsibility, be fair, show restraint - and you do rather plainly insofar as I can ascertain take pains to show restraint in your work) and professional (do the job and do it well with your audience in mind). Great job and we are all extremely fortunate and happy to be able to follow and support you.
2) In addition to the above, the fact that you have struggled with the same issues adds to the credibility and quality of your work. This situation with Val has to be one of the toughest to assess (it's easy to drop the blade when either there is no real offense, or the offense is so egregious that there is unanimous consensus as to how it must be handled). I grew up a fan of the Air Coryell Chargers, a team it was later revealed (and was known almost contemporaneously with) to be racked with drug abuse issues (and likely the primary culprit explaining how a team of such extraordinary talent and light years ahead coaching could find such ways to squander championship opportunities). One player in particular was a little like Val, Chuck Muncie. By all accounts, well-liked by teammates, a hard worker, and considered by several contemporaries as being on par with Jim Brown as the most talented running back in professional football history. But the drugs ended his career. Hope Val, whatever this is, can find a way through to a better place, whether it is with the Avs, or somewhere else (tangentially related - not the same, but kind of like Big Z has found a nice place in Vancouver, and I am pleased to see it and wish him and that team the best).
3) Big Val is just one of many issues that the Avs must successfully resolve for next season to have a different outcome (assuming that there isn't a miracle bounce back, which does seem unlikely).
Thanks for sharing AD, helps me to process how frustrated and disappointed I and other fans feel by all of this. What a terrible thing to again happen to our season.
There sure is a bit of irony in how the Avs have repeatedly gambled on Nichushkin and now the very team that gave up on him in the first place, the Dallas Stars, is the one that will likely feel vindicated after all.
First we signed him out of free agency to give him a second chance at an NHL career, then we gave him the big contract instead of say Kadri. Last year, the Avs went out of their way to protect him and now this, this being stuck with a 30 million problem.
To look back at what happened over the past 12 months is to realize that the Avs' have kicked the can down the road with 2 very crucial components of the team. Nichushkin..for obvious reasons. But also Landeskog. You could tell that they were a team without a captain last night. Again, you can't blame Landy for trying, but you also can't have a team playing without a C for 2 full years.
Those are problems for the offseason to resolve and well I am sure I am not alone in thinking that it could start Thursday.
I really don't see our guys working through this challenging situation by Wednesday. I don't expect them. They are facing a team that is completely dialed in, a team that came back form 0-2 down against Vegas and thus has already overcome a fair amount of adversity.
I agree with your comment in part. The Stars drafted Val in 2013, 10th. If he didn't perform with them that was on the Stars coaching staff. They bought out his contract. I'm sure you know the story. If the Stars feel vindicated because of a person struggling with demons than I see the Stars as a team I can no longer cheer for. It's too early for the Avs to make any decision on Val while he is in the program. After 6 months or however is required for him, Val needs to appeal for reinstatement from the League. This is totally out of the Avs hands right now.
For Landy, he will decide with his doctors if he plays in the NHL again. That is not our to make. I don't see the Avs kicking that can down the road. The Avs players, coaches, CMACK and Sakic and owner group needs to wait. I also wonder why players assistant program released him to play for the Avs and didn't see any red flags or warning signs. Just my opinion.
People get very good at covering up their problems. Who knows why he relapsed. No one may have seen it coming and unless someone asks for help, it often does not happen. No one is to blame.
I wouldn't go that far with respect to the Stars feeling good about themselves because of Nuke's issues, although one can speculate if they perhaps had seen some early warning signs already back then.
With regard to the Avs making a choice to wait. I am not disagreeing with you, but I think there is another side to this. With Landy in particular, we have now waited 2 full years to address not only the question of whether we might get back a power forward with a really strong 2 way game, but also the question whether this team needs a new captain. A captain is important to the identity of a team. A captain is important exactly in these types of situations. Identity, inability to deal with adversity - don't underestimate how much Landy's absence is compounding the problem.
Agreed. Even though Landy isn't on the ice with team he is there with them. This must be killing him to see this happen and not be able to do anything. His surgery is a complete unknown. Will he be able to play again no one knows. I'm sure not playing for 2 years and no guarantee that the surgery will even work is a question. I have heard it might take 16 months to recover. I always wonder is that 100%, 80% or to be able to live a life with his family and no longer an athlete. If training camp comes around and Landy isn't on the ice a decision will need to be made.
Tough go for the boys. Irreplaceable member of the team at this juncture of the season. Here’s to hoping he gets well and the Front Office makes the right decision with team chemistry and the locker room in mind, whatever way that is.
Not sure I understand what support Val was given, but this is a disease of relapse. The gravy handed NHL testing feels heavy handed. An intensive outpatient support seems to be lacking. The decision to leave the team should be handled by his case manager, and the player. Not sure a six month suspension is helping. It is not realistic for a person early in recovery, in a high pressure work situation, not to have a slip. We will never know if this was a small skip or if his behavior and abuse triggered a need to have an intervention. At any rate, it feels like this program is not state of the art.
A part of me has been hoping there was a false positive test and this is appealed and sorted out. Very doubtful at this point. Hope Val gets the help he needs and comes back better than ever next season.
Raw & honest AD, props for telling on yourself, we all do things we could have done better, owning them is wisdom on display. Question for you and the group, how does the LTIR/salary cap work regarding Nichushkin and Landy? Can you sign a player to a multi year deal with LTIR space, or is it a constant year to year process? Also, can the Avs terminate his contract for this if they so wanted?
They cannot terminate his contract as long as he is in the "program." The Avs may have a whole lot of cap space on their hands next year, as far and Landy and Nuke go. But it's too soon to say what will happen
The notion that a reporter ought to wait for the team to officially approve a story before reporting it is risible. If you have the story locked down, and it's a story worth reporting, it's a "go."
The Avs played a coy game last year with Nichushkin and covered for him. There’s no doubt that something very illicit, disgusting, and borderline criminal occurred in Seattle, yet we weren’t supposed to question it,but were told, instead, that it was none of our business. True, however, as a season ticket holder and fan, I think that a some transparency would have been apropos. Val failed his team last season, this regular season, and yesterday and the next 6 months. It’s not heartless or disgusting to cut ties. Harsh “love” can sometimes be the best “love,” as it leads to true recovery. There was dishonesty and lack of accountability a year ago. How’s that working for us?
Thanks AD again for your insight. I was at the game last night and I was surrounded by Avs fans. A lot of them felt the way I did. Mostly disgusted, hurt and angry. But I was more disgusted with myself. On the way to the game, I was riding the light rail when my brother texted me and told me about the suspension. I looked down and saw I was wearing Nichushkin jersey. When I got in Ball Arena I went to the team store for a replacement. I met a few others doing the same thing. Telling those fans I can't support Nichushkin right now. When I woke up this morning I replayed my actions from last night and thought.. Where is my compassion does winning mean more to me than another human being who is struggling with demons. I saw in the post game interviews from the players to the coach this has hit them hard. They have lost the trust they had in Nichushkin. There is nothing anyone can do right now. On a side note I guess I had karma for my thoughts last night and got pulled over. Cop gave me only a warning whew..
Thanks for sharing Anna
Thanks AD, keep doing what you do I appreciate it.
That's kind a wild. I only have 2 Avs shirts myself, one of them with number 13 - the other Valeri though. With my soccer shirts, I really prefer to get them as blanks, i.e. no name and number, in part because my club is just way more important to me than any given player. These are team sports after all! And players just come and go. Few stick around for the long haul.
Having said that, blank hockey jerseys look a bit weird though, which is probably why I only have 2...#13 Kamensky and #8 Makar.
Can't blame you for your mini identity crisis at all!
Thanks AD. As someone in long term recovery, I know firsthand what it feels like to let people down, over and over, at the worst possible time. What I needed to learn was that while my addiction is not my fault, it's damn sure my problem, and I need to deal with it. Val and his family have a long and difficult road ahead. But the Av's are a great group, and I hope they can bounce back. For my part, I couldn't help but wonder what Sammy G was feeling last night; and the outcome notwithstanding, I thought he played great.
Girard had a great game. He has come a very long way. The fans have supported him. I wish you well.
Agreed. Between him and maybe Georgiev, they seemed to be the only players with a positive body language.
"If you’ve never struggled with substances of any kind, then you just can’t understand the power they can have over you. They are powerful enough to make a grown man, with a family, an eight-year, $49 million contract and fans from all over, choose the drug over all of that."
Thank you AD for this. This is where people like you and me can best inform those ignorant of the disease of addiction. My use of alcohol almost cost me my job and I try to educate people about addiction and assistance programs. Too many people think it is a lifestyle choice and that people are bad for their addictions. How many people last night and today have called Nichushkin a bad person or said he must have been using cocaine or abusing his spouse? How many people want him fired yesterday, without knowing how the NHL CBA works or how assistance programs work?
I posted this on another site, but it is worth also posting for the readers here:
"Substance abuse/addiction is a disease, just like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. One does not choose to have it and it can strike anyone. Mental diseases, to include addiction issues and depression, are not curable. They can be treated, but they will never go away. Like other diseases, there are varying levels of how serious it can be. Some people have an easier time with treatment and recovery, while others do not.
While substance abuse is a disease, many wrongly treat it as a lifestyle choice or character issue. It is not. For this reason, it is not always thought of properly. Many archaic and ignorant views still rule and society has been slow to accept it.
The reason Nichushkin and Girard are able to seek help, with job protections, is because of their union and CBA's. Without those protections, they and many others in the NHL, could possibly have been fired. As many rightfully say, people are still accountable for their actions, to include those suffering from addiction. That said, just because someone has an addiction issue, it is not necessarily against the law or employment rules. Girard was very open after the fact about his issues, while Nichushkin has been silent. None of us know what his issues are. To say it must be cocaine or vodka or wife beating is not just ignorant, but irresponsible.
How many people in Colorado would fail a drug or alcohol test? Both can be legal to use, but not necessarily legal for some job performers. Did you use a drug while on vacation, but it has no affect on your job 2 weeks later or even the next day? People do it all the time. Part of the NHL Player Assistance program, like many employee assistance programs, includes accountability measures, like drug tests. The tests can show drug or alcohol use up to 3-4 weeks, depending on the drug or amount used. For those in drug sensitive jobs or in a substance abuse program, a positive is a positive.
Athletes, just like doctors, lawyers, celebrities, military members, and other highly successful people, have lost their jobs and careers because of their disease. That does not make them bad people. It makes them people who have an illness that they are unable to control. There is accountability for one's actions and disease. If someone can no longer do their job because of cancer, heart disease, or some other ailment, there are usually protections for them. If, however, they cannot be accommodated, they can lose their job. The same will go for hockey players. Nothing is guaranteed, but people have to show they are trying. That is why there are several tiers in the NHLPA program, with the end tier not guaranteeing reinstatement.
Now this part is speculation on my part. I have no idea what ails Nichushkin. My suspicion has been pain killers. I can totally believe that Nichushkin was skating in pain last year after his foot was shattered in the playoffs. Pain killers seem to be a hush hush remedy among athletes, that the sports do not really want to talk about. Is that his issue? I do not know. Do many athletes, to include hockey players, use pain killers? My guess is yes, but it is up to the sport how use is regulated or prohibited. Being in an assistance program for drugs or alcohol most likely prohibited ANY use of certain drugs and alcohol.
What ever happens to Nichushkin role with the Avs, is up to management, the NHL, and the CBA. I do expect the team to look at every option available and do what is best for the team, but it has to be done within the framework of the league and CBA."
Thanks for your insight. I can tell you last night because I was at the game. Fans we're hurt, angry and confused, most were saying let him go back to Russia. I was one of them. I have never struggled with an addiction. Just watching the post game interviews I saw hurt on the players, and coach face. They have lost trust in Val. Hopefully he can find the strength to fight for himself. I know CMACK and Sakic will give Val support but they also need to support the players too. Someone made a comment that his name plate in the locker room is gone and replaced. Was it too soon to do that not sure. Did the rest of the players want to forget about him right now not sure. Time will tell.
People with mental health/addiction issues have hurt many people in their lives, both directly and indirectly. Those are consequences that people with these problems must live with. Forgiveness does not come easy or sometimes ever. Trust issues will follow them forever. Nichushkin may never be able to regain that trust with the Avs. He will need to accept that. Emotions fly high on all sides of the problem, but it needs to be approached rationally. That is all that can be asked for.
I, too, felt disappointment for the Avs and fellow fans. We with problems feel disappointment and anger too, but we also understand that the disease makes people do things that are not rational and that recovery can be extremely hard. That disappointment, however, did not make me call him a bum or say he must have been doing cocaine or committing crimes. We think about what caused relapses and remind people that it is common to relapse and struggle. If it wasn't, addiction would not be an issue or cause so many deaths and despair.
I appreciate you, Adrian! Some folks locally just can’t dissociate a disliking for you from the great work you do to get a scoop. They will make up any excuse/lie otherwise to not acknowledge the credit deserved in a situation like that. A nonsensical rinse and repeat of last year. It’s just a fan club of this team that I will never fully get. That said, putting a couple folks on blast was probably not the best move but I understand the pride in your work for which it comes from.
Thank you Mark. I'm the first to admit I can come off as a total prick on Twitter sometimes. The real me is a whole lot nicer. I guess I just got triggered a bit too much last night, but my overall point stands
This^^
Thanks AD. Appreciate your honesty and insights.
You don’t have to apologize for being the best Avs reporter AD. What’s petty is the kiss ass, let’s all just be friends coverage that goes on with these up and comers who think they need paid top dollar to write what’s basically an AP story.
I tuned into the DNVR's pre-game and post game coverage. Getting Eric Lacroix's insight can be super interesting. But I had to tune out because they made this weird decision to talk about the game as if the Nichushkin thing hadn't happened. Like what is the point??
Well put Danny. There once was a distinct separation within print journalism between news reporting and editorial/feature (just as there was the same split between play-by-play and analyst). When I read a recap of a game, it should be 90-99 percent factual. The other 1-10 percent should be using non-factual but verifiable information to further inform as to the factual material (which often is the "why" in the old KC Star Style Guide that was good enough for Hemingway). On the other hand, when we read editorial/feature/analysis - we want the insight provided that even further informs us as to why something occurred, as well as related information that informs on those other elements (eg "Dog got out of yard. Owner left gate unlocked and dog likely was attracted by squirrel in neighbor's yard. Dog has habit of chasing squirrels."). Great comment Danny. Dead on center mass as to why following AD is such a pleasure.
AD, you are an honorable man, and have what is called ethics, both professional and personal. People don't seem to like those qualities much these days, so it speaks for who you are if you are getting slack, people are jealous that no matter how many times they smack you down, you get right back up.
Yesterday was an emotional day for every Avs fan, between the thing with Val, Toewes and the loss all compouded that you end up being the object of scorn. We love you big fella, and I mean big!!
Bless you Ted
1) AD - I have not seen one instance in all of the years I've followed your work where I would pick the side of those others over your's. You are an ethical (upfront, take responsibility, be fair, show restraint - and you do rather plainly insofar as I can ascertain take pains to show restraint in your work) and professional (do the job and do it well with your audience in mind). Great job and we are all extremely fortunate and happy to be able to follow and support you.
2) In addition to the above, the fact that you have struggled with the same issues adds to the credibility and quality of your work. This situation with Val has to be one of the toughest to assess (it's easy to drop the blade when either there is no real offense, or the offense is so egregious that there is unanimous consensus as to how it must be handled). I grew up a fan of the Air Coryell Chargers, a team it was later revealed (and was known almost contemporaneously with) to be racked with drug abuse issues (and likely the primary culprit explaining how a team of such extraordinary talent and light years ahead coaching could find such ways to squander championship opportunities). One player in particular was a little like Val, Chuck Muncie. By all accounts, well-liked by teammates, a hard worker, and considered by several contemporaries as being on par with Jim Brown as the most talented running back in professional football history. But the drugs ended his career. Hope Val, whatever this is, can find a way through to a better place, whether it is with the Avs, or somewhere else (tangentially related - not the same, but kind of like Big Z has found a nice place in Vancouver, and I am pleased to see it and wish him and that team the best).
3) Big Val is just one of many issues that the Avs must successfully resolve for next season to have a different outcome (assuming that there isn't a miracle bounce back, which does seem unlikely).
Good points
Thanks for sharing AD, helps me to process how frustrated and disappointed I and other fans feel by all of this. What a terrible thing to again happen to our season.
There sure is a bit of irony in how the Avs have repeatedly gambled on Nichushkin and now the very team that gave up on him in the first place, the Dallas Stars, is the one that will likely feel vindicated after all.
First we signed him out of free agency to give him a second chance at an NHL career, then we gave him the big contract instead of say Kadri. Last year, the Avs went out of their way to protect him and now this, this being stuck with a 30 million problem.
To look back at what happened over the past 12 months is to realize that the Avs' have kicked the can down the road with 2 very crucial components of the team. Nichushkin..for obvious reasons. But also Landeskog. You could tell that they were a team without a captain last night. Again, you can't blame Landy for trying, but you also can't have a team playing without a C for 2 full years.
Those are problems for the offseason to resolve and well I am sure I am not alone in thinking that it could start Thursday.
I really don't see our guys working through this challenging situation by Wednesday. I don't expect them. They are facing a team that is completely dialed in, a team that came back form 0-2 down against Vegas and thus has already overcome a fair amount of adversity.
I agree with your comment in part. The Stars drafted Val in 2013, 10th. If he didn't perform with them that was on the Stars coaching staff. They bought out his contract. I'm sure you know the story. If the Stars feel vindicated because of a person struggling with demons than I see the Stars as a team I can no longer cheer for. It's too early for the Avs to make any decision on Val while he is in the program. After 6 months or however is required for him, Val needs to appeal for reinstatement from the League. This is totally out of the Avs hands right now.
For Landy, he will decide with his doctors if he plays in the NHL again. That is not our to make. I don't see the Avs kicking that can down the road. The Avs players, coaches, CMACK and Sakic and owner group needs to wait. I also wonder why players assistant program released him to play for the Avs and didn't see any red flags or warning signs. Just my opinion.
People get very good at covering up their problems. Who knows why he relapsed. No one may have seen it coming and unless someone asks for help, it often does not happen. No one is to blame.
I wouldn't go that far with respect to the Stars feeling good about themselves because of Nuke's issues, although one can speculate if they perhaps had seen some early warning signs already back then.
With regard to the Avs making a choice to wait. I am not disagreeing with you, but I think there is another side to this. With Landy in particular, we have now waited 2 full years to address not only the question of whether we might get back a power forward with a really strong 2 way game, but also the question whether this team needs a new captain. A captain is important to the identity of a team. A captain is important exactly in these types of situations. Identity, inability to deal with adversity - don't underestimate how much Landy's absence is compounding the problem.
Agreed. Even though Landy isn't on the ice with team he is there with them. This must be killing him to see this happen and not be able to do anything. His surgery is a complete unknown. Will he be able to play again no one knows. I'm sure not playing for 2 years and no guarantee that the surgery will even work is a question. I have heard it might take 16 months to recover. I always wonder is that 100%, 80% or to be able to live a life with his family and no longer an athlete. If training camp comes around and Landy isn't on the ice a decision will need to be made.
Tough go for the boys. Irreplaceable member of the team at this juncture of the season. Here’s to hoping he gets well and the Front Office makes the right decision with team chemistry and the locker room in mind, whatever way that is.
Not sure I understand what support Val was given, but this is a disease of relapse. The gravy handed NHL testing feels heavy handed. An intensive outpatient support seems to be lacking. The decision to leave the team should be handled by his case manager, and the player. Not sure a six month suspension is helping. It is not realistic for a person early in recovery, in a high pressure work situation, not to have a slip. We will never know if this was a small skip or if his behavior and abuse triggered a need to have an intervention. At any rate, it feels like this program is not state of the art.
A part of me has been hoping there was a false positive test and this is appealed and sorted out. Very doubtful at this point. Hope Val gets the help he needs and comes back better than ever next season.
Raw & honest AD, props for telling on yourself, we all do things we could have done better, owning them is wisdom on display. Question for you and the group, how does the LTIR/salary cap work regarding Nichushkin and Landy? Can you sign a player to a multi year deal with LTIR space, or is it a constant year to year process? Also, can the Avs terminate his contract for this if they so wanted?
They cannot terminate his contract as long as he is in the "program." The Avs may have a whole lot of cap space on their hands next year, as far and Landy and Nuke go. But it's too soon to say what will happen
The notion that a reporter ought to wait for the team to officially approve a story before reporting it is risible. If you have the story locked down, and it's a story worth reporting, it's a "go."