Suspended Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has been cleared to begin practicing, the team said Monday.

Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin blocks Lightning’s Corey Perry while Avalanche’s Artturi Lehkonen controls the puck during the first period the game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena on ...

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, top, celebrates Artturi Lehkonen's goal with teammates during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Utah Hockey Club, Friday, Dec. 27 ...

The 29-year-old winger remains in a top-line role for now, though he could eventually be pressed for that spot by Valeri Nichushkin or Ross Colton.

At the 14:44 mark of the third period, forward Valeri Nichushkin threw a puck in front that Lehkonen attempted to put past goaltender Karel Vejmelka, but was initially stopped.

Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen has been sidelined after receiving offseason shoulder surgery and will make his season debut on Sunday against the Seattle Kraken.

But when Artturi Lehkonen needed a break after drawing a penalty, there was Nichushkin back in his office.

Artturi Lehkonen will make his season debut against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night at Ball Arena. The 29-year-old has been greatly missed as the Avalanche have only won five of the 12 games ...

Nichushkin's return would bolster a team that’s already thin at forward this season due to a rash of injuries. But it's starting to turn around, with Artturi Lehkonen activated from injured ...

But when Artturi Lehkonen needed a break after drawing a penalty, there was Nichushkin back in his office. And while he didn’t collect a point on MacKinnon’s first power-play goal, the reigning league ...