Val Nichushkin shows pure class and apologises to his former General Manager

PUBLICATION

Ryan
July 10, 2022 (7:44 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

In 2012, the Dallas Stars used their 10th overall pick and drafted a potential superstar Russian prospect who was projected to be an elite goal scorer and that player was Val Nichushkin. Unfortunately for the Stars though, after 5 years and 2 years of him going back to the KHL twice, Nichushkin didn't live up to expectations and was bought out by the Dallas Stars at the end of the 2019 season.

Avalanche General Manager called Joe Sakic called Jim Nill to ask about Nichushkin and if there was anything he should be worried about, and Nill told Sakic that:

He is someone you should take a chance on

Sakic obviously listened and decided to give Nichushkin a chance and the patience he had with him obviously paid off huge in this years playoff run.

Jim Nill said the first time Val Nichushkin played the Stars as a Colorado Avalanche, he thanked Nill and apologized, saying «I wasn't who I should have been with you guys.»

Nill said «sometimes you have to have change.» Called the buyout a business decision.� Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) July 7, 2022

When Nill was in Montreal he shared that the first time that the Stars and Avalanche played in 2019-20 season, Nuchushkin approached him to apologise to Nill that he didn't turn into the player that he should have for the Stars.

NIll replied to him saying

sometimes you have to have a change

Nill also said:

Give the organization credit, but you gotta give Val credit. He realized, �I need to change.' Sometimes players need that

Not every first round pick is going to hit their potential right away, some players take longer to develop. Nichushkin is one of those cases that it took a few years but eventually he became a stanley cup champion and played a huge role en route to winning the cup as well.