"Cross-Checking the NHL's Discipline: Analyzing Valeri Nichushkin's Six-Month Suspension"

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has been placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and will be suspended for a minimum of six months without pay, the league announced Monday.

After six months, Nichushkin, 29, will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.

The forward has appeared in all eight of the Avalanche's playoff games, scoring nine goals and one assist for 10 points. In 54 regular-season games this year, he had 28 goals and 53 points.

Nichushkin entered the Player Assistance Program for the first time in January. He was away from the team for two months and returned on March 8.

The Player Assistance Program has four stages: Stage 1 is the first in-patient treatment, which is entirely voluntary. Stage 2 is following a violation of Stage 1, wherein the entrant is suspended without pay during the active phase of treatment. An entrant is placed in Stage 3 following a violation of Stage 2, and is suspended without pay for a minimum of six months. After three violations, an entrant is placed in Stage 4, which carries a one-year suspension without pay and no guarantee of reinstatement.

The program was established in 1996 as a venture to aid NHL players and their families through struggles with mental health, substance abuse and other issues. Jonathan Drouin is expected to enter the lineup in Nichushkin’s place in the lineup for Game 4 against the Dallas Stars. Drouin has been out since suffering a lower-body injury in the regular-season finale on April 18.