Colorado
The Colorado Avalanche are saying all the right things about Valeri Nichushkin
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar and superstar center Nathan MacKinnon have said all the right things regarding Valeri Nichushkin’s return to the lineup.
Earlier this week, both Bednar and MacKinnon were gentlemanly when referring to Nichushkin’s potential return this season. In particular, Bednar and MacKinnon stated they would welcome Nichushkin with “open arms.”
Now, let’s be clear for a moment. Neither Bednar nor MacKinnon are being hypocritical about the situation. They’re behaving like gentlemen, showing genuine interest in welcoming Nichushkin back into the fold.
In fact, I’d say the situation is more like water under the bridge. Judging from Bednar and MacKinnon’s reactions, there doesn’t appear to be any hard feelings.
Of course, there may be trust issues involved on both sides. After all, the entire Nichushkin case has been quite sensitive. Nevertheless, it appears the Colorado Avalanche are willing to give Nichushkin a second chance.
In the end, doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance? In Nichushkin’s case, the Avs owe it to him to prove he’s overcome whatever issues may have plagued him in the past. Doing so costs the team nothing, and offers a highly skilled player a shot at contributing to the best of his abilities.
Now, when could the club expect Nichushkin to return?
I can’t say that I know the answer to that question. While Nichushkin is eligible to return in mid-November, he would most likely need time to get readjusted to the game. Since he wouldn’t have the opportunity to skate in training camp, Nichushkin may need some more time before he can hit the ice for the Avs this season.
In the worst-case scenario, it might be several weeks before Nichushkin may be finally ready to hit the ice. If that’s the case, the Avs could expect Nichushkin to be in the lineup around Christmas, perhaps even past the New Year.
There’s only one way to find out. The Colorado Avalanche need to wait for Nichushkin to be ready and ease him back into game action. There’s no sense in rushing him back. If they do, the Avs risk setting Nichushkin up to fail. Needless to say, that’s the last thing on everyone’s minds.
The Colorado Avalanche cannot afford to move on from Valeri Nichushkin
Let’s assume for a moment the Avs decide to move on from Nichushkin. While that could be an alternative, it’s one the club cannot afford to consider. Trading or waiving Nichushkin could prove a costly mistake for Colorado.
If the Avs trade or waive Nichushkin, another team can come and sign him. In that situation, Nichushkin could feel motivated to prove he’s still a star player. That move could easily backfire on Colorado.
Let’s consider the complicated part: The Avs risk losing a talented player, one who could contribute to the club’s success in the second half of the season, for virtually nothing. Meanwhile, another club could reap the benefits of having Nichushkin’s talents on their roster.
Unless the Avs have lost their minds, which hardly seems the case, the best case scenario is to ease Nichushkin back into the lineup. Think about it this way: It’s like getting a trade deadline addition, but without the cost of trading players or draft picks to get him.
Despite the impending cap crunch the team would face, having Nichushkin back into the lineup makes total sense for the Avs. They get a goal scorer who could easily fit into the top six. Moreover, the team gets a motivated player, looking to prove he’s still every bit as valuable as before he was suspended.
Of course, there’s always the risk that Nichushkin doesn’t quite live up to expectations. Unfortunately, that’s a chance the Avs will need to take.
Overall, it would be ludicrous for the Colorado Avalanche to give up on Nichushkin now. Players and coaches have publicly expressed their desire for his return. So, fans can expect one of the league’s most talented players hitting the ice with a little extra juice.
Colorado
Former RTD Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald terminated for cause, Colorado Attorney General’s office says
Former RTD Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald, who separated from the agency last week, was fired according to a Colorado licensing database.
CBS News Colorado reported on Sept. 20 that Fitzgerald “was no longer employed at the Regional Transportation District,” according to a memo from RTD CEO Debra Johnson that was sent out to all RTD employees.
But the agency refused to say if Fitzgerald had resigned or was fired and declined to share any information about what led to the separation. Johnson said last Friday that she would share her “plans for interim leadership” in the coming days. Nearly a week later, no new information has been provided about whether Fitzgerald was fired or voluntarily resigned.
On Thursday, Colorado’s Peace Officer Standards and Training database — which shows the employment and disciplinary status of Colorado law enforcement officers — showed that Fitzgerald had been “Terminated For Cause.” It’s unclear if the firing impacts Fitzgerald’s ability to serve in law enforcement in Colorado.
After the publication of this story, RTD responded to an open records request saying it had no records of termination or separation for Fitzgerald.
An RTD spokeswoman also responded to a request for comment Thursday saying RTD “adheres to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board regulations and its reporting requirements,” but did not otherwise comment on Fitzgerald’s termination.
CBS News Colorado also contacted the Attorney General’s office seeking more information about the termination notice.
Fitzgerald joined RTD as its police chief in 2022. But he had been on leave since July as an outside investigator looked into alleged “policy violations.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Colorado
Law enforcement asking for help finding missing Colorado Springs woman with serious health issues
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Law enforcement need your help finding a missing woman.
Jessica Kawanabe, 41, was last seen at the Safeway on Centennial Boulevard near Garden of the Gods Road. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office reported her missing late Wednesday night.
“She has serious medical, mental health issues which need medical attention,” EPSO said in a social media post.
Kawanabe is Indigenous, has dark hair, stands 5-foot-2 and weighs 108 pounds. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call 719-390-5555 immediately.
Copyright 2024 KKTV. All rights reserved.
Colorado
Colorado Department of Transportation works to increase safety on Highway 119
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