The Avalanche are committed to Valeri Nichushkin upon the conclusion of his six-month NHL suspension.

The Avs open training camp Thursday at Family Sports in Centennial. Coach Jared Bednar and select players discussed their upcoming season on Wednesday at The Inverness Denver hotel. Nichushkin — currently in Stage 3 of the NHLPA’s player assistance program — is not eligible to rejoin the team until at least November.

The embattled winger has left the Avalanche during consecutive playoff runs. Nichushkin, 29, is signed with the team through 2029-30. Bednar said the Avs will embrace Nichushkin with “open arms” after his suspension.

“Reports are that Val is doing well. That he’s making progress. As you know, the suspension is six months, which puts him (returning) at mid-November,” Bednar said. “We don’t really know what that’s going to look like yet. … We’ll welcome him with open arms. He’s obviously an impact player for us. It hurt the last couple of playoffs, with him being gone. I think everyone has a really strong understanding of that.”

Bednar called Nichushkin a “good teammate” and said that “time heals all wounds.” He expects Nichushkin to take steps in regaining the organization’s trust.

“I’m sure Val is going to have some things he wants to say to the group,” Bednar said. “But understanding, again, that he is part of our team. He’s a big, important piece to our team and we could use him on the ice. Whatever we can do to support him and make sure he can do that for a full season, or November on, we’re going to try and do that. That’s what a team is, it’s a family, and you’ve got to roll with the punches sometimes.

“But there’s also got to be some forgiveness there.”

Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon echoed Bednar’s comments. But he doesn’t agree that Nichushkin must address the team. MacKinnon said: “I don’t think we need to hear anything.”

“When (Nichushkin) gets back, I’m sure he’ll be in awesome shape, like he always is,” MacKinnon continued. “He was playing great, obviously, when it happened.”

Defenseman Cale Makar added: “Val is a guy who means so much to our group. To be able to hopefully get him back in November is going to be huge. We trust in his process and that he’s done the right things to get better. We’re going to welcome him back to the best of our abilities. … Whatever we’ve got to do to help him out is our goal.”

Georgiev talks growth, contract year

Alexandar Georgiev enters the final year of his Avalanche contract as the starting goaltender.

“I try not to think too much about it,” Georgiev said on Monday at the Avs charity golf event. “It’s just so exciting to be a part of the team for another season. That’s how I approach it. Just take it one day at a time.”

Georgiev spent part of his offseason traveling — including the Maldives and Paris — while also focused on improvement. That included more summer ice time, he said, to “get better at little things.”

Georgiev, 28, has experienced plenty of growth over two seasons in Colorado. Last playoffs, after a disastrous Game 1 in Winnipeg (allowing seven goals), he responded with four straight brilliant starts to take the first-round series.

“I would say just trying to reset after tough games. That was the next step for sure,” Georgiev said. “Find a way to recover well. Getting good sleep after games is sometimes a challenge. But I feel I’m getting better as I get that experience. And just trying to bring the best game every night.”

Briefly

Bednar confirmed that forward Artturi Lehkonen will not be a full participant for training camp or preseason. Bednar said: “Shoulder surgery was a big deal for him. It was pretty bad, and then went in and fixed it.” … Andrew Cogliano’s front office transition leaves a penalty kill hole. Forward Miles Wood earned PK minutes last season. Wood said: “That was the first time in my pro career that I’ve ever (penalty) killed. … But if my name is called, I’ll be prepared for it.” … MacKinnon discussed his offseason conditioning plan. He said: “It was more of a recovery summer for me. I definitely wanted to do more than I did. Hopefully, I’ll be decent this year.”