The Dallas Stars announced today that winger Valeri Nichushkin has been activated off injured reserve and will be loaned to the Texas Stars of the AHL for a conditioning assignment.
Nichushkin was initially placed on injured reserve just two games into the season after not being able to fully recover from a nagging groin and hip injury. The ailment had been bothering Nichushkin before training camp started in September, and the Stars limited his playing time during the preseason attempting to get him back to fully healthy. After two games, however, it was clear he was still not 100% and he was placed on IR after undergoing more tests with team doctors.
NHL teams can “loan” their players to the AHL for a conditioning assignment with no need for waivers or cap penalties, but only if the team is not attempting to surpass the waivers process. From the NHL CBA:
13.8 Conditioning Loan. Unless a Player consents, he shall not be Loaned on a Conditioning Loan to a minor league club. Such Conditioning Loan shall not extend for more than fourteen (14) consecutive days. The Commissioner may take whatever steps he deems necessary to investigate the circumstances under which a Player is Loaned on a Conditioning Loan. If the Commissioner has reason to believe or determines that the Club has used the Conditioning Loan to evade the Re-Entry Waivers, or otherwise Circumvent any provision of this Agreement, he may take such disciplinary action against the Club, as he deems appropriate. The Player shall continue, during the period of such Conditioning Loan, to receive the same Paragraph 1 NHL Salary, and be entitled to the same benefits, that he would have received had he continued to play with the Club.
Nichushkin will get more than a few chances to get back into game shape, especially after the limited preseason and only a few practices since returning from injury. The Stars have 14 days to recall him back to the NHL.
The press release:
Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has activated forward Valeri Nichushkin from injured reserve and assigned him to the Texas Stars, Dallas’ development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), on a conditioning assignment.
Nichushkin,19, has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury, last playing on Oct. 11 at Nashville. He has skated in two games this season, posting zero points and one shot. Last season, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound forward earned 34 points (14-20=34) for the Stars, which was good for fourth most all-time among Dallas Stars rookies.
The native of Chelyabinsk, Russia was selected by Dallas in the first round (10th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.