Denver Post: Nichushkin involved in incident that prompted police/medical response

[Balthazar]

We know he wasn't present in the room when she was found.

Source?

Also wasn't the skate an optional skate.

Nope. They even called it "maintenance day" for Nuke.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Many soldiers have gone through things and not gotten PTSD while someone right next to them has.

While I think the speculation in this thread about what happened is crazy I did want to note that just because someone else played through pain and took pain killers without any issues doesn't mean that it won't negatively impact another player. Unless one is actually educated on these types of things it might be best to not speak on them.

Yeah, that’s fair.

I certainly don’t think less of anyone who’s dealt with addiction and feel empathetic towards that hardship.

I’m just upset that this mysterious absence occurred.

I feel bad for this woman involved. It doesn’t really sit well with me that the Avalanche have basically buried the fact that Nichushkin had any involvement. It’s almost like they’re trying to make if appear as though they’re completely separate.

 

[UncleRisto]

Pain meds don’t make you call a prostitute on game day.

Pain meds, no pain meds... You gotta.

 

[LOFIN]

Something else that was interesting is that she was said to be Ukranian in a few outlets.

It really means nothing, it has only been brought up because of the war. In the future, Russia and Ukraine will be two very different and distinct countries but up until now there are many connections.

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

Source?

Hmm. I could have sworn I saw something somewhere but it may have just been people here conflating that he wasn't at practice with him not being found in the room.

Having said that, not a single report I've read said he was there when she was found either. I would have thought that if she was found with him the wording would have been different because it's always her being found in his room, not with him. But I can't read too much into that. So you may be right, I couldn't find the source I thought I had seen.

 

[wayninja]

Maybe Landy isn't actually hurt but is addicted to pain medication.

 

[Gruyeriev]

Hmm. I could have sworn I saw something somewhere but it may have just been people here conflating that he wasn't at practice with him not being found in the room.

Having said that, not a single report I've read said he was there when she was found either. I would have thought that if she was found with him the wording would have been different because it's always her being found in his room, not with him. But I can't read too much into that. So you may be right, I couldn't find the source I thought I had seen.

I’m one of the ones who said that. I have not seen a single source State clearly that he was or wasn’t there at the time the girl was found. It’s a weird detail and may ultimately not matter but I found it odd.

 

[Balthazar]

I’m one of the ones who said that. I have not seen a single source State clearly that he was or wasn’t there at the time the girl was found. It’s a weird detail and may ultimately not matter but I found it odd.

The official report talks about an "unnamed 3rd party" that was there with the doctor and the woman.

But yea, it could be a total outsider that was in Nuke's room with the woman when the doctor arrived on scene I guess...

 

[Gruyeriev]

The official report talks about an "unnamed 3rd party" that was there with the doctor and the woman.

But yea, it could be a total outsider that was in Nuke's room with the woman when the doctor arrived on scene I guess...

From Seattle Times article

In the 911 call, an unidentified man told dispatchers that “we suspect someone might have OD’d on alcohol potentially or something got mixed in a drink, we don’t know yet.” The police report says the caller was Avalanche team doctor Bradley G. Changstrom.

From the Yakima Herald

Audio of the lone 911 call made from the downtown Four Seasons Hotel on April 22 was released Thursday to The Seattle Times after a public disclosure request. The caller on the audio does not identify himself, but police records released separately last week said the caller was Avalanche team physician Dr. Bradley Changstrom, who accompanied the squad on the road for its opening-round playoff series against the Kraken.

 

[Balthazar]

From Seattle Times article

In the 911 call, an unidentified man told dispatchers that “we suspect someone might have OD’d on alcohol potentially or something got mixed in a drink, we don’t know yet.” The police report says the caller was Avalanche team doctor Bradley G. Changstrom.

From the Yakima Herald

Audio of the lone 911 call made from the downtown Four Seasons Hotel on April 22 was released Thursday to The Seattle Times after a public disclosure request. The caller on the audio does not identify himself, but police records released separately last week said the caller was Avalanche team physician Dr. Bradley Changstrom, who accompanied the squad on the road for its opening-round playoff series against the Kraken.

Seattle times: Police records indicate team employees went to check on Nichushkin when they found the woman in a room at the hotel.

Logically, do you think that was before or after Nuke was escorted out of the hotel by the team security?

 

[Gruyeriev]

Seattle times: Police records indicate team employees went to check on Nichushkin when they found the woman in a room at the hotel.

Logically, do you think that was before or after Nuke was escorted out of the hotel by the team security?

Idk? When do you think he called the woman? The night before or the morning/afternoon of Game day? If it truly was a scheduled maintenance day then he knew he didn’t have to get up early. Did he wake up and she looked dead so he called the team Dr? Maybe he left the room and came back and found her there messed up and then they decided he better get out of there. Why is it never mentioned that he was there in the room with the girl? Is it PR or was it decided earlier he should leave and they would fabricate a story? There are still quite a few unknowns here which is why I was waiting to see what comes out. Maybe it never will but I don’t how the org thinks he could just show up at camp next year and the fan base won’t care. This is huge PR disaster and they won’t/can’t say anything to clarify. I’m not defending Nuke. I’m just not doing the jump to conclusions map that you are.

 

[PAZ]

Yeah, that’s fair.

I certainly don’t think less of anyone who’s dealt with addiction and feel empathetic towards that hardship.

I’m just upset that this mysterious absence occurred.

I feel bad for this woman involved. It doesn’t really sit well with me that the Avalanche have basically buried the fact that Nichushkin had any involvement. It’s almost like they’re trying to make if appear as though they’re completely separate.

The Avs haven't made any comment on the matter (unless there's a report I missed), so it's hard to say they're burying anything.

All this is still speculation. It would be nice to know what happened, but the public is far from entitled from it unless it becomes a legal issue.

 

[Drury_Sakic]

The Avs haven't made any comment on the matter (unless there's a report I missed), so it's hard to say they're burying anything.

All this is still speculation. It would be nice to know what happened, but the public is far from entitled from it unless it becomes a legal issue.

Eh, entited, no — but as paying customers damn well deserving of something more.

If this was baseball, football, or basketball, we would know a lot more about this and have answers. Heck, if this was a Canadian market or New York, LA, we would know more.

I am somewhat shocked this is as small of a story as it is, even given it’s the NHL and Colorado.

 

[Drury_Sakic]

And people can say give players privacy and legal blah, but that’s how we got the Chicago situation.

Damn well wish someone in the press had broke the NHL “code” in the press when it happened and done something about it.

Not wanting to get the story wrong, waiting for facts, I get it. But we are past that. I can’t imagine that a few people close to the team don’t know what happened in good detail and are doing the hockey thing and just not reporting on it due to some broken logic the NHL has.

Heck, how long does it seem now that it’s being reported on, did team canada allegedly have issues in the world jr ranks? People knew in the press, and did not say anything for far too long due to hockey culture.

Why is Gary Betman not being asked about this at every chance a media member gets to talk to him? We are at that point with some of what COULD have happened here. Every other commish in the other leagues would be getting hounded by the press and the player would be suspended pending investigation very publicly. That is a fact.

 

[willy702]

And people can say give players privacy and legal blah, but that’s how we got the Chicago situation.

Damn well wish someone in the press had broke the NHL “code” in the press when it happened and done something about it.

Not wanting to get the story wrong, waiting for facts, I get it. But we are past that. I can’t imagine that a few people close to the team don’t know what happened in good detail and are doing the hockey thing and just not reporting on it due to some broken logic the NHL has.

Heck, how long does it seem now that it’s being reported on, did team canada allegedly have issues in the world jr ranks? People knew in the press, and did not say anything for far too long due to hockey culture.

Why is Gary Betman not being asked about this at every chance a media member gets to talk to him? We are at that point with some of what COULD have happened here. Every other commish in the other leagues would be getting hounded by the press and the player would be suspended pending investigation very publicly. That is a fact.

So basically you have the right to privacy unless a lot of people just want to know?

 

[Drury_Sakic]

So basically you have the right to privacy unless a lot of people just want to know?

He either did nothing wrong, or at least nothing to the point where there were no lines cross....in which a brief statement or two from the Avs clarifies things.....or he did participated in some way in something sorted, morally wrong, harmful to himself, the team, and others..... oh and illegal. The silence is unacceptable from the NHL and Avs.

If he was partying with a Russian hooker/sex worker, and she got overly drunk/drugged while with him/his "friends", he deserves zero privacy or respect and every bit of spotlight. Mental health/addiction does not excuse what sounds like happened here. And the Avs response is extremely questionable thus far at best - maybe they are doing everything right behind the scenes and will be quick to cut bait --- but it seems like they are not.

Brad Aldrich deserved zero privacy -- but the NHL and the game of hockey gave it to him for a LONG time. Team Canada and its world jr mess was silent and out of the limelight for far too long.

And if the story that seems to be laid out here is true, Nuke does not get a pass either and deserves all the criticism. And I hope it does not follow the typical path that Hockey seems to be on for silence and hoping people forget about it.

I could be wrong, maybe he comes out mostly clean here. But every bit of evidence - the little that has been told - points to him being in a whole heap of bad - and frankly the Avs, NHL, and Nuke himself are getting away free and clear thus far because of the franchise/sport involved IMO.

 

[dahrougem2]

I don't think this story deserves privacy at all just because Nichushkin is an NHL player.

I think the Avs will do everything they can to keep things as silent as possible and hope people forget/don't ask.

If in the end he did nothing wrong, his name will be cleared. If he did something wrong, people should know just like they know what happens with other news stories around the world.

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

He either did nothing wrong, or at least nothing to the point where there were no lines cross....in which a brief statement or two from the Avs clarifies things.....or he did participated in some way in something sorted, morally wrong, harmful to himself, the team, and others..... oh and illegal. The silence is unacceptable from the NHL and Avs.

But we already got a statement from Bednar that it wasn't legal related nor disciplinary related.

So that eliminates the second half of your statement that it was illegal. Theyve said it wasn't already. But speculation continues.

How much info will be enough info for the speculators out there to be satisfied? I suspect that unless it is a minute by minute replay of his movements there will still be speculation. But we will never get that level of detail, nor do we need it.

 

[Balthazar]

But we already got a statement from Bednar that it wasn't legal related nor disciplinary related.

Bednar also said that Nuke missed morning skate that day because of maintenance. He's the last person we should trust for news like this. He's literally trying to hide everything all the time.

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

Bednar also said that Nuke missed morning skate that day because of maintenance. He's the last person we should trust for news like this. He's literally trying to hide everything all the time.

Do we know it wasn't a prearranged maintenance day? I don't see how Bednar is untrustworthy. He's probably told what he can and can't say to the press. So if he's trying to hide anything it's likely because the org has told him to stay mum.

 

[Hornstar]

Just a normal day in Seattle.. gonna take a lot worse than a drunk hooker and a spoiled millionaire to make the front page

 

[John Mandalorian]

Never mind.

 

[Mr Zappalanche]

I dont think that can be any outcome out of this where I would feel the same about Nuke as I did before. He clearly put himself in some kind of very bad situation, and the result is lost round in playoffs and potentially destroyed team culture. Absolutely unacceptable for a guy making 40 million dollars.

 

[Hennessy]

I dont think that can be any outcome out of this where I would feel the same about Nuke as I did before. He clearly put himself in some kind of very bad situation, and the result is lost round in playoffs and potentially destroyed team culture. Absolutely unacceptable for a guy making 40 million dollars.

Yeah. Like most everyone else I've developed a soft spot for Nichushkin, but regardless of what exactly transpired I can't really see him coming out of this with his reputation intact. If it turns out to be an addiction problem and he hit a wall, he'll have my sympathy as a human, but the timing of it would make it difficult as a fan. Anything else and even the sympathy factor is gone.

 

[redacted]

The whole absence of directly implicating Nuke in the room or him calling in the doctor and just being an unnamed 3rd party is a very classic way of fixing a scene... and taking the woman from the room to the lobby is another sign of that (keeps eyes away from the room). Avs did everything they could to keep Nuke from being in a legal situation going as far as shipping him away. So when they say it isn't a legal situation, they are 100% correct. They took steps to ensure it wasn't a legal situation.

Avs clearly don't want to make a statement on this and they will hold quiet until their feet are in the fire. The journalists around the team should be doing the work to cover this story.