Valeri Nichushkin Heading To KHL This Year ‘Can’t Be Ruled Out’

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is currently under suspension for a minimum six months without pay and is in Stage III of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. That puts a contract termination off the table for now, as well as a trade.

But according to reports, Nichushkin ultimately heading back to his homeland and the KHL this year can't be ruled out.

Per Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now, SKA head coach Roman Rotenburg was asked if he'd be interested in Nichushkin if the player wants to somehow leave the NHL this year:

"I was talking to him, to Nichushkin. He and I are on very good terms, we talked to him in the spring," Rotenberg said. "Will he be in SKA? We'll wait and see. Everything is possible."

In addition, an article on Belarushockey.com quotes a Russian journalist noting that SKA is "waiting for Valeri Nichushkin by December."

Of course, there's still the little matter of six years and over $35 million remaining on Nichushkin's deal with the Avalanche. Is the 29-year-old Russian willing to forego all of that cash?

His suspension, which began in May, runs until at least mid-November, so a lot can change between now and then.

But SKA is a real player here, as they also just recently signed Evgeny Kuznetsov to a four-year deal after his contract was terminated by the Carolina Hurricanes. But of course, the one year and $6 million in salary he gave up is a lot different from the $35 million left that Nichushkin is owed.