Confirmed with Link: Nichushkin back in assistance program; suspended a minimum of six months

[Balthazar]

where on earth are you getting the 3rd paragraph from?

Where did you see that no one else is getting tested? Doesn’t the CBA state that EVERY player gets tested 2 times per year?

Not for recreative drugs, they are getting tested for PEDs.

Can you imagine the number of positive tests they'd get every year if they tested everyone for cocaine?

 

[EdAVSfan]

Not for recreative drugs, they are getting tested for PEDs.

Can you imagine the number of positive tests they'd get every year if they tested everyone for cocaine?

I understand that, but Nuke brought on the drug testing himself.
Testing positive for a PED is a mandatory 20 game suspension. Nuke isn’t testing positive for PEDs.
He would also be absolutely fine IF he didn’t screw up and get the police and league involved. But once he is required to enter the PAP program, his testing is related to that specific program.

He brought it on himself by allowing his drug usage to spill over into a police issue.

What part of this whole fiasco since Seattle gives you any kind of impression that Nuke volunteered into the program?

 

[Balthazar]

I understand that, but Nuke brought on the drug testing himself.
Testing positive for a PED is a mandatory 20 game suspension. Nuke isn’t testing positive for PEDs.
He would also be absolutely fine IF he didn’t screw up and get the police and league involved. But once he is required to enter the PAP program, his testing is related to that specific program.

He brought it on himself by allowing his drug usage to spill over into a police issue.

What part of this whole fiasco since Seattle gives you any kind of impression that Nuke volunteered into the program?

I don't think he volunteered at all. I said earlier that the league probably forced the Avs to do it when the hotel thing went public. It was an easy way out for everyone since they could just answer it's personal stuff.

I don't know though because it's not public information.

Also I'm not excusing Val I'm saying the situation is f***ed up because right now for the casual fans it looks like he's getting punished because he asked for help.

They should tell us the truth.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I don't think he volunteered at all. I said earlier that the league probably forced the Avs to do it when the hotel thing went public. It was an easy way out for everyone since they could just answer it's personal stuff.

I don't know though because it's not public information.

Also I'm not excusing Val I'm saying the situation is f***ed up because right now for the casual fans it looks like he's getting punished because he asked for help.

They should tell us the truth.

How? Fines and suspension don’t even come up until you’ve been busted 3 times. That seems pretty reasonable.

 

[Metallo]

A buyout peaks at like 5/6mil per season and we’d be on the hook for like 14 years. A settlement from a termination wouldn’t be nearly as long.

I mean if a settlement is super short at 2M$ yeah it's great, I have no idea. But the first two years of a buyout would be better than that and that's our window. I wonder if we can "punt" the settlement down the road as to not affect our window for the next 3 years.

 

[EdAVSfan]

I don't think he volunteered at all. I said earlier that the league probably forced the Avs to do it when the hotel thing went public. It was an easy way out for everyone since they could just answer it's personal stuff.

I don't know though because it's not public information.

Also I'm not excusing Val I'm saying the situation is f***ed up because right now for the casual fans it looks like he's getting punished because he asked for help.

They should tell us the truth.

Ah ok, I seem to have misunderstood your original post then.

This situation seems no different than getting caught with a DUI. I’m sure lots of people drive when they shouldn’t, or least they drive even if they’re over the legal limit.
But once you get caught, the penalties change.

Had Nuke kept his usage under control and without external factors, I don’t believe any of this ever would have triggered.

 

[Alienblood]

It’s not a hard decision. You terminate the contract. The uncertainty around Landeskog and Nichushkin has cost this team two seasons in a row.

Most importantly, Val can’t be counted on in the playoffs, that’s when he relapses.

Losing Nichushkin for nothing sucks, I don’t know if you can trade a suspended player, but I’d try that first. If that’s not possible, just cut him.

It will help navigate the salary cap issues.

The Avs have tried to help this guy multiple times. He’s not interested in help. He’s disgraced and embarrassed the team multiple times. He’s not fit to be an Av.

But he's the MVP of the team quite simple. This team doesn't make the playoffs without him.

Sad but true

 

[MonsterMack]

Also I'm not excusing Val I'm saying the situation is f***ed up because right now for the casual fans it looks like he's getting punished because he asked for help.

That's not how it looks to any fan, casual or not. What are you talking about?

 

[Metallo]

Val, on the ice, is one of my favorite Avs player ever. Val, the man, the team mate, f***ed us two seasons in a row right in our window. He almost multiplied by 0 his career contribution to the team.

 

[Metallo]

But he's the MVP of the team quite simple. This team doesn't make the playoffs without him.

Sad but true

Come on man. This is hyperbole and I love Val, the player, he's a total unicorn in the league. Avs finished 15pts over the Blues, the best team to miss the playoffs. Val is not worth 8 extra wins and he's not the team MVP. If the Avs use his cap hit wisely as replacement they sleep walk into a playoff spot.

 

[Alienblood]

Come on man. This is hyperbole and I love Val, the player, he's a total unicorn in the league. Avs finished 15pts over the Blues, the best team to miss the playoffs. Val is not worth 8 extra wins and he's not the team MVP. If the Avs use his cap hit wisely as replacement they sleep walk into a playoff spot.

I think he's definitely worth 8 extra wins that's not hyperbole

He's worth 8 extra in a half season

And yeah quite frankly he's the team MVP. Without Mack or Cale this team does better than without Nuke. If he doesn't play then they fail, his record speaks for itself

They need him and when he goes off they lose

 

[tigervixxxen]

Not for recreative drugs, they are getting tested for PEDs.

Can you imagine the number of positive tests they'd get every year if they tested everyone for cocaine?

They get tested for everything and the teams are given the results. There’s no chance the Avs didn’t know he was using when he signed the 8 year deal.

 

[Grigowski]

However, as CMac said, it's not an option to terminate his contract now.

Because they can´t.

 

[Pokecheque]

LTIR Landy until the playoffs, then he has time to become 100%. Until then, Val plays after his suspension.

Sure, great idea, then he’s fresh and ready to enter Stage Four at the worst possible time (again).

 

[lionsDen]

where on earth are you getting the 3rd paragraph from?

Where did you see that no one else is getting tested? Doesn’t the CBA state that EVERY player gets tested 2 times per year?

Yup, and once in the program you’re gonna get more random UA’s

Just like those that get duis, have to call everyday to see if they have to go test

Because they can´t.

Privacy

The HIPAA Privacy Rule

www.hhs.gov

You are correct

 

[lionsDen]

They get tested for everything and the teams are given the results. There’s no chance the Avs didn’t know he was using when he signed the 8 year deal.

Eh, players get tested and they are tested at the same points, unless a player messes up or is dumb enough partake when the known test is coming. I’m sure the Avs have a lot of skeletons in the closet. So yes there is a chance the team didn’t know.

 

[Forceberg]

Sure, great idea, then he’s fresh and ready to enter Stage Four at the worst possible time (again).

Exactly. Either stage 4 and then away without a cap penalty, or clean and a good player. That's how I see it.

 

[henchman21]

They get tested for everything and the teams are given the results. There’s no chance the Avs didn’t know he was using when he signed the 8 year deal.

This is correct... The NHL just doesn't really care about recreational drugs until they become an issue. This is also a reason why the Avs try to keep players out of the assistance program. Once you start that scrutiny, it is hard to remove a player from it.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

So...would anyone really dig deep if say Landy plays the first few weeks and then needs a bit of time. Say just enough for time for us to tag him up into LTIR allowing us to activate Nuke long enough to trade or buy him out, them bring Landy back once Nuke's cap has been dealt with?

It would allow us to basically spend Nuke's cap this summer instead of waiting or complete a trade including "future considerations" from our side which would entail us trading Nuke the minute he's activated.

I mean, this is definitely circumnavigating the cap but I have a feeling Las Vegas would do it and get away with it.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

So...would anyone really dig deep if say Landy plays the first few weeks and then needs a bit of time. Say just enough for time for us to tag him up into LTIR allowing us to activate Nuke long enough to trade or buy him out, them bring Landy back once Nuke's cap has been dealt with?

It would allow us to basically spend Nuke's cap this summer instead of waiting or complete a trade including "future considerations" from our side which would entail us trading Nuke the minute he's activated.

I mean, this is definitely circumnavigating the cap but I have a feeling Las Vegas would do it and get away with it.

They would....we wouldn't.

 

[AvsMakar08]

So...would anyone really dig deep if say Landy plays the first few weeks and then needs a bit of time. Say just enough for time for us to tag him up into LTIR allowing us to activate Nuke long enough to trade or buy him out, them bring Landy back once Nuke's cap has been dealt with?

It would allow us to basically spend Nuke's cap this summer instead of waiting or complete a trade including "future considerations" from our side which would entail us trading Nuke the minute he's activated.

I mean, this is definitely circumnavigating the cap but I have a feeling Las Vegas would do it and get away with it.

I still think that Nukie will be back with Avs on November, 14th, 2024. I expect him to be dressed and ready for that game even if it is the road. We will have difficult time beating Las Vegas if Nuke is moved there. I bet those blokes will do anything to get Nuke from Colorado.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I still think that Nukie will be back with Avs on November, 14th, 2024. I expect him to be dressed and ready for that game even if it is the road. We will have difficult time beating Las Vegas if Nuke is moved there. I bet those blokes will do anything to get Nuke from Colorado.

I think you are right.

I just think it's the wrong move. And to be honest, if Cale, Nate and Mikko are serious about winning another cup, they will force the issue. If they are content being first and second round exits for the rest of their careers they'll allow CMac to do whatever is most convenient for him.

 

[willy702]

Exactly. Either stage 4 and then away without a cap penalty, or clean and a good player. That's how I see it.

I think this is 95% likely what the Avs do. The record with and without him is insane, everyone at some point has to realize the Avs are not serious contenders without him. There are no 6m free agents out there that can replace his value on this team. If he lets you down, so be it. The end result is no different than when players get hurt in the playoffs.

 

[AvsMakar08]

I think you are right.

I just think it's the wrong move. And to be honest, if Cale, Nate and Mikko are serious about winning another cup, they will force the issue. If they are content being first and second round exits for the rest of their careers they'll allow CMac to do whatever is most convenient for him.

Do you know how many power forwards, two way players are playing in the NHL? Just a handful. Nuke is a core player for us. Loosing him would really hurt this team. Other teams will give him a 6M a year contract without any hesitation.

 

[Vaslof]

I think this is 95% likely what the Avs do. The record with and without him is insane, everyone at some point has to realize the Avs are not serious contenders without him. There are no 6m free agents out there that can replace his value on this team. If he lets you down, so be it. The end result is no different than when players get hurt in the playoffs.

Trade him when he's clean. One for one trade. They get Nuke, we get someone slightly worse but without the baggage.