Soucy Suspended One Game, Nichushkin Suspended 6 Months 

It is kinda wild how quiet things were after that drunk and nearly unconscious woman was found in Nichushkin's hotel room around this time last year. And it wasn't his wife. He doesn't seem to be getting better.

Ever since the incident last year something is weird around him. It doesn't surprise me especially with how they kept the Seattle incident quiet.

You'd have to think Nichushkin has failed a drug test for this honestly. If that is the case, with his history, as an employer you have to take disciplinary action.

A hockey guy wearing a hat of a hockey guy wearing a hat.

Next stop KHL for Nischkunin Shame cause he really turned his career around in Colorado.

So sorry to hear that news about Nichushkin. I was really hoping that he had tamed his demons and straightened out his life for good. I hope that this suspension works and he cleans himself up. I am a Stars fan but no one ever wants to see this happen to anybody and I am praying for him.

Nikushkin has $36.75 Million left on his contract. That's a lot to give up for an addiction. Tells me a lot about how serious addiction can be.

i dont know if i have ever seen the leading scorer out of the play offs for drugs very wild

Dallas was playing the long game. This was their plan all along. Nuke not scoring for a season to entice CO to pick him and then destroy CO from within for this very series years later.

"If you hit the post, you missed the net" - future THG t-shirt/mug

Nichuskin has gotten away with a lot of his off ice activities. He’s lucky it’s not worse

I didn’t realize there were stages. Can you do a video on that?

Just really hope whatever Nichuskin is going through he eventually gets the help he needs and comes out the other side of it a healthier and happier human being, hockey or not.

I'd imagine stage one was the incident last year. 2 Was this February and now stage 3.

If you Hit the post, you missed the net Sounds like a new coffee cup or shirt

I didn't know Hanifin played for the Canucks 😂

There goes Colorado's chance of going back to the Stanley Cup Finals

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!! Nichushkin did it to us again???!!! Well … stay strong AVALANCHE ❤️

As a neutral observer, I have to say it's actually wild how poorly these playoffs have been officiated. On top of that the always consistent DOPS are now picking their spots instantly sussing Soucy for touching McDavid, meanwhile there's been a whole host of suspendable offenses like Mountor/Mikkola's antics vs Tampa, Bennett suckering Marchand, and all of the bad blood happening in this Edmonton Vancouver series.

6 months! What do he do? Push Gary Betman down a flight of stairs?

I wonder what the program was and what it meant. Starting to watch more hockey now and your channel has helped me learned a lot.

I was surprised the Avs didn't trade him, because a player like him in the playoffs is a lot worse than Marner, for the second year in a row, he betrays his team at the moment he's needed the most

Maybe you could break down the different stages and what they mean. That would be good for fans. Love what you do. Keep it up.

That's not good for Colorado But it's good for Dallas

Yeah, Shannon, I think you’re right. You can argue that hitting the post means that you either shot wide or the goalies positioning was spot on and you got what he gave you.

Can you make a video on NHLPA and the Stages of Violations?

should have kept kadri instead of him

"If you hit the post, you missed the net" thank you! So many people think posts merit a special mention.

Being suspended for 6months seems kinda wild. That's the kinda thing I would suspect is more than just a simple failed test, but perhaps that's just the repeat offender language for the assistance program. Hope he gets the help he needs, but I would not be surprised if the avs decide to move on in the offseason.

Good luck to the Stars, too deep for the Avs. I hope you get your cup! - Avs fan

Can you do a video on Hannifin playing for the Canucks?

Problem is, you can hit the post and it goes in! Rarely happens, but it does happen! Game of inches...

The posts hit reminds me of that scene in benchwarmers “I ticked it I ticked it!” “You’re still out”

Showing people your bunnies and your cats is another way to make a video become less heavy. Animals have a way of helping things feel a lot better.

Wonder if its something like painkillers, those can be really addictive.

Thank you for not inciting a riot over the Leafs loss in game 7. You are the only hockey media on RU-vid that I still subscribe to. Everyone else is using the Leafs loss to pad click stats and get people worked up enough to act in childlike anger. Its disturbing for Canadian hockey fans to be so heartless in disparaging hometown hockey heroes. Toronto media and amateur youtubers are relentless in trying to be armchair GMs and asking the fans to tell the team what to do. Thanks for not presuming who stays and who goes.

What timing NHL thanks for letting the entire AVs team know just right before the game. Great mental. Happy we got the organization looking out for us so we can have a good, clean, and even "do or die" game.

Could you do a deep dive on the NHL players assistance program? What are the stages and how does that all incorporate into the NHL? Would really appreciate something like that Thanks for all your hard work, it shows all the time

The post had two great saves for Canada in the Women's gold medal game in Sochi (Сочи).

Big OOF for the Avs!

I was in shock seeing Nichushkin being out, like what was that? Absolutely bonkers.

Yes, the suspension is punitive. It should be. The Player Assistance Program is there to help you but if you're not willing to help yourself, you can't expect to keep getting 2nd chances. Either you're serious about your recovery or you're not.

SWEET JERSEY 🔥

It's time to cut Nichuskin. They should be able to dump his contract. This is two playoff runs in a row. If he isn't available to play then it's time for him to go.

My thoughts: I think a Sleemans Honey Brown would be nice right about now.

this was weird. they usually wait till the end of the playoffs for bans like this.strange to pull the trigger mid playoffs. warranted, but weird.

A hockey guy wearing a hat of a hockey guy wearing a hat

I got the notification and saw nichuskin suspended for 6 months and was like what?? Am I seeing correctly or is this a typo

If you hit the post does the goalie get a save? No? THEN IT ISN'T A SHOT! That is all.

From what I understand is that his previous stint in the assistance program had a random drug testing clause as a part of graduation. He failed it and now, there are consequences written to address such failure. If that's the case, we have no ground to argue if the punishment is either too harsh or too lenient. It's contractually solid.

There are way too many unknowns around Nichushkin to feel comfortable speculating. If this is a PED thing, a six month suspension seems totally reasonable. But if that's the case, I'm not sure how/why the Player Assistance Program is involved. On the other hand, this sure seemed like alcohol and/or coke when he entered the program the last time. An apparently mandatory suspension around that seems off to me simply because it ostracizes the idea of seeking help with addiction. It sucks he failed, but I thought the PAP was supposed to prevent players hiding their issues and get the help they need? If there's a suspension threat, doesn't that defeat the purpose and drive everything back underground? I guess there's a third option of him showing up to work clearly on drugs, and that ends up being more of a standard workplace violation, but something in all this doesn't make sense. We may never know the whole story -- and that's fine, especially if it helps him and other players get help -- but it's a weird story as it stands.

The issue with the Soucy suspension is the fact that the league is playing favourites. It was a stupid thing to do and warranted a suspension, but so did Trouba's flying elbow attempt on Necas and Bennett's sucker punch KO to Marchand. If you're going to punish one and not the other, it's a joke

The issue with players in the DAP is that fans of that player want them to play, at times OVER their health. This time of year, the suspension is going to be longer. That's just how it is. 3 months isn't even the start of next season yet. What these suspensions (especially consistent violations of the DAP) say to me.. the NHL actually values the player's health. They've gone through tons of this before. 20 something with more money than a 70 year old knows how to spend? Yeah, that'll never turn ugly. And unfortunately, if the issue doesn't get nipped early, escalation and tragedy aren't unlikely. Mental health, physical health, and sustainability are critical factors in pro sports, and prioritizing an individuals health over their profitability margin is saying something positive. There are a lot of things the NHL gets wrong. I could ask Vancouver and Edmonton and Boston (and pretty much every other team's fans) about it, but in this, I genuinely think they're one of the best. Transparency needs to improve on a team and league level, but I'm one to argue that we don't need the intimate details of a person's life. If they want to keep that private, they should have that option. These are people, and they deserve their space and time too. As much as hockey players can be highly revered in countries like Canada and the US, it's important we don't forget that aspect of it.

As Av fan, this stings, his game heavily rely upon and helps to get superstars' room. Avs need to make their own history, come back, and break game7 record. Not sure if Avs can play Cory Perry's card if he's reinstated. But most importantly, I hope that he gets his life back on track. Substance abuse is no joke

2:58 I just want to take this moment to congratulate the Edmonton Oilers for winning the Stanley Post.

stage 3 is basically rehab

I don't remember Nichuskin being called for a hearing?!?

Dallas already had momentum in the series but this probably kills any comeback attempts by the avalanche so disappointed

When does the new THG logo drop?

i rushed home after work because i KNEW there was gonna be a video!! Thanks for all you do!

Crazy news about Nichushkin, the Avs were really benefitting from his presence and play style in these playoffs. We'll see how the team handles this. I feel for Nichushkin on a personal level and really hope he gets all the support and resources he needs. The suspension seems appropriate, there has to be some serious (non financial) consequences for the players in these situations or the League looses credibility.

The suspension lets him focus on getting clean and not worry about hockey. Question is was he on performance enhancers? That would explain his sudden skill boost when getting to Colorado.

0:28 hanafin? You mean Juulsen

This has the open the door for the Avs to terminate Nichushkin's contract?

Nichushkin with the nose cardio

Toews out from illness? Sounds like nausea, headaches, blurry vision consistent with a blow to the head. Benn skating around

Does the six months include the off-season as well? If so he would be eligible to apply for reinstatement by November 13? Someone educate me on this. I don’t know how that works.

Unfortunately, the Avs aren't going far without Nichushkin. Their playoffs are about to end prematurely, just like last year due to his actions.

The playoffs just took a major turn. I don't want to sound like leaning on conspiracy theories, but the playoffs just opened up for Florida to win this outright.

Sorry to hear will pray for him and his family

On ice I’ve been a fan for awhile but idk how any team could trust him to be consistent hope he gets the help he needs but I feel he may be headed to the khl

Cocaine is a hell of a drug

"If you hit the post you missed the net" Alex DeBrincat please take note.

Hanifin draws in? U mean Juulsen?

“Hey, lay me down some rails boys Don't put me in jail boys And if I make a little noise Just leave me alone”

so is it 6 months starting now or when next season starts

Russian gas in use the KHL apparently

if you hit the post you hit the part of the net that doesnt count. you didnt hit the netting but u did actually hit the net as posts are a part of the net so you didnt miss the net.

try explaining stages. how are we supposed to knw what he did guess?

Well it's great for my bracket but also terrible for who I'm rooting for with Nichushkin getting suspended.

I am an Avs fan, and I am at the game (1st intermission) everyone is talking about the suspension and they are mostly frustrated with Val. Feel for the person, but he is a key part of this team and has let everyone down two post seasons in a row. Disappointed

I hope Nichuskin gets help and healthy.

I really hope Val gets the help he needs. I thought he was doing very well in Colorado after he was traded there. I wonder if his problem started after they won the cup cause he played on a broken foot.

What if you don't hit the post? Whoooooooa.

My only problem is that I don't understand how a shot thats going well wide of the net thats grabbed by a goalie to stop play it counts as a shot on net yet a puck that hits the post doesn't, when it can just miss going in by a hair thats always annoyed me.

I think we can all agree that the best thing to come out of the Nichushkin suspension was that we no longer have to listen to Garry Galley constantly mispronouncing his name.

Did you hanafin going to draw In? Canucks are deep haha

Real stupid to get pulled out due to a positive drug test. I know he struggled in the past but it’s the playoffs team is always first

I know if i failed a drug test at work id be fired... The avs gotta look out for their other players at this point... cut ties with him as soon as they legally can and spend his 6 mil a year on a guy who wants to play hockey and not get high in the team hotel with hookers...

Hope Val gets the help he needs

From the UK, it's the same in "proper" football if you hit the woodwork it's counted as an off-target shot. Cheers HG i really enjoy your posts so keep the high standards.

If you hit the post, you miss the net and you also beat the goalie. Silovs was beaten four times in game three. lol

Shannon, we need a serious look into the CBA. How did the businessmen in the NHL get saddled with such an anchor around their necks, compared to the NFL , NBA and MLB? Rick DiPietro.....discuss.

Eh.. if you hit the post you missed the net, poetic justice if you ask me!

I've been so conditioned by John Garrett doing colour commentary that whenever a player hits the post I think to myself: "That's all he gave them" in Cheech's voice

We bid you well Nichushkin. I’m more impressed with the fact that you suffer from substance abuse and yet still deliver in the playoffs. Russians built different.

They did this to Colorado in the middle of the Cup Playoffs? WTH?

Shots on goalpost is by definition shots on goal. 🧐 But only saves and goals "counts". 🙄 It's all about goalie statistics... 🤨

and Bennet still skates free

Does this suspension affect his pay?