Nichushkin remains in Stage 3 of the NHL-NHLPA player assistance program but will be skating and working out away from the team. General manager Chris MacFarland said before the regular season began that Nichushkin was expected to return to Colorado from Russia near the end of this month.

Valeri Nichushkin has arrived back in Denver and is set to begin skating and working out on his own, the Avalanche announced on Saturday. Colorado’s top forward is serving his six-month suspension in Stage 3 of the NHL Player Assistance Program.

The Colorado Avalanche received a promising update on star forward Valeri Nichushkin, who is in the Player Assistance Program.

Today, two players who have been the talk of the town (not at all for the same reasons) are inching closer to a return to action. First, on the Colorado Avalanche side, Russian Valeri Nichushkin arrived in Denver,