[News] Nichushkin back in Player Assistance Program, suspended 6 months w/o pay

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Most people who use cocaine are not addicts. He could just be really dumb and reckless about using it in-season, instead of limiting it to the offseason like other NHLers.

Isn't this his third offence? That's not recklessness. At best it's sheer and utter stupidity but it seems this guy has a serious problem.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by habernac

Yeah, I can’t stand them. Flashbacks of the junior hockey ######bags who hung out in the front hall of the high school and #### on the rest of us. #### those guys.

On the surface maybe but Biz seems like a genuinely good dude. He doesn't take himself seriously at all. He actually seems like a sweet guy. Whit is a bit more of a dick at times but all in all he seems like a good guy as well. I think they both genuinely care about the game.

[Zary's-Mustache]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Sounds like the team gave him chance after chance and he's thrown it away time and time again. Can totally understand his teammates being pissed at him and ready to cut him loose for good. Must be hard to care about someone in such a privileged position pissing away their chances like that, but whatever, I'll take his teammate's word that they are better off without him. Not a lot of "wish him the best of luck", but a lot of GTFO here.

Looked up his contract and woof. Who the heck thought it was a good idea to sign him to that? 8 year 49 million contract, I must have missed that signing. I know he's a late bloomer and all, but damn. That's some massive trust to put in a guy who has a lot of demons on his track record.

I may be mistaken but pretty sure there were no demons or at least no one knew about it when he signed that contract. That is a great contract if he didn't have these problems.

[Zary's-Mustache]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Most people who use cocaine are not addicts. He could just be really dumb and reckless about using it in-season, instead of limiting it to the offseason like other NHLers.

Honestly this is what people who do cocaine want you to believe.

"I go to work every day and am a functional part of society so I'm not a addict"

Or they don't look like your stereotypical addict. Cocaine is a very highly addictive drug and most people you use it regularly are cocaine addicts even if they can still function normally.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Hackey

On the surface maybe but Biz seems like a genuinely good dude. He doesn't take himself seriously at all. He actually seems like a sweet guy. Whit is a bit more of a dick at times but all in all he seems like a good guy as well. I think they both genuinely care about the game.

Ya but not liking someone means you get to get wicked offended over something you 100% don't understand the concept.

The most fascinating guests on there are the former players who did stints in Russia. A very common story is the old school Russian doctors would come in an administer some sort of gas. The player would have energy for a while and play lights out. Over the years it became a term Russian Gas. Whenever any player would be playing great its the Russian Gas.

Biznasty taped this before the latest Nichuschkin update. So now is such a dudebro he can offend into the future, even though its 1000000000% not offensive in anyway.

[manwiches]

Originally Posted by Zary's-Mustache

Honestly this is what people who do cocaine want you to believe.

"I go to work every day and am a functional part of society so I'm not a addict"

Or they don't look like your stereotypical addict. Cocaine is a very highly addictive drug and most people you use it regularly are cocaine addicts even if they can still function normally.

This. One of my best friends was addicted to cocaine. He couldn't function outside of work without it, and it got to a point where he was doing bumps in the washroom during work

His attitude and personality changed so much over those 3-4 years. I really tried to be a friend and help him out, but there's only so much you can do if they don't want help themselves, and at the expense of my own sanity and relationships.

He eventually got clean after hitting rock bottom, but it took losing his job, his friendships (mine included), and his family intervening. It was sad and brutal to watch someone I'd known almost my entire life devolve into someone i didn't know or recognize.

He's since tried to make amends, but really, nothing will ever be the same again. We've grown apart and distant, me with a family and priorities different than his.

I guess what I'm saying is addiction is brutal, and one shouldn't judge how the support system around that person with issues, is handling it. I think the team in this case probably gave him every chance they could, but as someone else mentioned earlier, I'm thinking his team might have been in the same mentality I explained above.

[Rejean31]

Welcome to the Oilers Valeri. Can't believe we got you on such a great contract.

[Bandwagon Surfer]

Originally Posted by Zary's-Mustache

Honestly this is what people who do cocaine want you to believe.

"I go to work every day and am a functional part of society so I'm not a addict"

Or they don't look like your stereotypical addict. Cocaine is a very highly addictive drug and most people you use it regularly are cocaine addicts even if they can still function normally.

That is exactly it with cocaine, and what makes it dangerous. It gives you the feeling that you are in control, impares your decision making, and gives you a feeling of confidence. This makes it feel more like having a good energy drink than "getting high".

The addict stereotype also cause a lot of problems because they do not represent at all what drug addicts are actually like. Statics wise the average drug addict has a full time job and lives in the suburbs. But so many people think that they cannot possibly be a drug addict because they are not the stereotype, letting the problem get way worse before they acknowledge it.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Nichuskin and DeAngelo to Edmonton this summer, E6.


(Real talk though, hope the kid gets the help he needs)

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by manwiches

This. One of my best friends was addicted to cocaine. He couldn't function outside of work without it, and it got to a point where he was doing bumps in the washroom during work

His attitude and personality changed so much over those 3-4 years. I really tried to be a friend and help him out, but there's only so much you can do if they don't want help themselves, and at the expense of my own sanity and relationships.

He eventually got clean after hitting rock bottom, but it took losing his job, his friendships (mine included), and his family intervening. It was sad and brutal to watch someone I'd known almost my entire life devolve into someone i didn't know or recognize.

He's since tried to make amends, but really, nothing will ever be the same again. We've grown apart and distant, me with a family and priorities different than his.

I guess what I'm saying is addiction is brutal, and one shouldn't judge how the support system around that person with issues, is handling it. I think the team in this case probably gave him every chance they could, but as someone else mentioned earlier, I'm thinking his team might have been in the same mentality I explained above.

And folks living with someone living addiction need to have boundaries. Maybe they walk away fully, maybe they try to stay in relationship with the person but say no to thing. That can then set the other off and they walk away from the support network.

You're right, addiction is 100 percent brutal.

(in reviewing the tread outside of the quoted post) I think talking about it like it's a moral issue is really flawed and outdated approach. I also don't understand having a hierarchy for empathy. I really hate this cultural trend towards trauma Olympics in who has things worst adn deserves more empathy.

[Shazam]

There used to be a website that listed the best places to do various drugs. Bathrooms on certain floors in Banker's Hall were listed.

Don't kid yourself, the stuff is addictive.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Ya but not liking someone means you get to get wicked offended over something you 100% don't understand the concept.

The most fascinating guests on there are the former players who did stints in Russia. A very common story is the old school Russian doctors would come in an administer some sort of gas. The player would have energy for a while and play lights out. Over the years it became a term Russian Gas. Whenever any player would be playing great its the Russian Gas.

Biznasty taped this before the latest Nichuschkin update. So now is such a dudebro he can offend into the future, even though its 1000000000% not offensive in anyway.

Context helps, but directing the joke at a player with well documented substance abuse issues is, at the very least, thoughtless and in poor taste.

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Context helps, but directing the joke at a player with well documented substance abuse issues is, at the very least, thoughtless and in poor taste.

Yea and they’re suppose to be role modes!!!!

Get them! Let’s cancel those meanies.

/green text

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Yea and they’re suppose to be role modes!!!!

Get them! Let’s cancel those meanies.

/green text

Lol, nobody is trying to "cancel those meanies".

The backlash to the backlash is always just as silly.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Shazam

There used to be a website that listed the best places to do various drugs. Bathrooms on certain floors in Banker's Hall were listed.

Don't kid yourself, the stuff is addictive.

I first read that as "...on floors in certain bathrooms..."

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Lol, nobody is trying to "cancel those meanies".

The backlash to the backlash is always just as silly.

Lets be clear... there should be zero backlash. There was nothing "thoughtless" or in "poor taste" in Bizz's original comments.

[Scornfire]

Originally Posted by Zary's-Mustache

Honestly this is what people who do cocaine want you to believe.

"I go to work every day and am a functional part of society so I'm not a addict"

Or they don't look like your stereotypical addict. Cocaine is a very highly addictive drug and most people you use it regularly are cocaine addicts even if they can still function normally.

Yep, I had several friends in my early 20s very obviously addicted who would swear up and down they didn't "need" it, less than 24h removed from selling the gaming console their parents bought them at a pawn shop for a night on the town

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Lets be clear... there should be zero backlash. There was nothing "thoughtless" or in "poor taste" in Bizz's original comments.

I highlighted why there's reason to think there is. You disagree. That's all fine and dandy.

The Spittin Chicklets crew isn't to everyone's taste, and that's also fine and dandy. Being critical doesn't mean anyone is trying to "cancel" anyone. If you don't like it don't listen, and I don't.

Personally, I don't think Biz meant anything by it...sounds like their usual banter. However, considering Nichushkin's struggles (which have been public since January) it doesn't entirely pass the smell test. I'm not going to be picketing Barstool anytime soon for something so benign, but I'm also not going to feel bad about my opinion on it.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

Why would you voluntarily enter a program that can result in suspensions and no pay? I don't pretend to know anything about recovery programs.

Incentivized to hide from problems and not seek help?

I am not 100% sure, but I think going into the program prevents contract termination.

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I assume the suspension in in hockey time, as in after the playoffs it will get picked up again when next season starts?

Since the players don’t get paid during playoffs, how does the 6 months without pay work here?

Otherwise, the 6 months without pay only affect his playing this playoffs, and does not affect his pay?

I assume the 6 months without pay thing is more administrative than anything. The suspension could be longer. He'll have to demonstrate that he met his treatment objectives and then apply for reinstatement. Six months might be really optimistic if the problem is as serious as it seems.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Ya but not liking someone means you get to get wicked offended over something you 100% don't understand the concept.

The most fascinating guests on there are the former players who did stints in Russia. A very common story is the old school Russian doctors would come in an administer some sort of gas. The player would have energy for a while and play lights out. Over the years it became a term Russian Gas. Whenever any player would be playing great its the Russian Gas.

Biznasty taped this before the latest Nichuschkin update. So now is such a dudebro he can offend into the future, even though its 1000000000% not offensive in anyway.

This aimed at me? I understand the concept of hockey jocks being self entitled #######s. These two clowns perpetuate that.