The Colorado Avalanche announced Friday that forward Logan O’Connor underwent successful hip surgery on Friday morning. The 28-year old is expected to be out for the next five to six months.
O’Connor Injury
O’Connor played in 80 regular-season games for the Avs, scoring 10 goals and recording 21 points. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, O’Connor played in all seven games, scoring two goals, in the Avalanche’s first-round series loss.
Earlier in the week, O’Connor placed 29th in voting for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the top defensive forward.
Projected Return
As stated earlier, O’Connor’s injury and subsequent surgery will force him out of action for five to six months. He will miss training camp, the preseason, and the first few months of the 2025-26 season. The earliest O’Connor can return in November. However, it is likely he will not return until December as the Avs will likely want him to take time skating and practicing with the team before inserting him back into a NHL game.
Possible Bright Side
Injuries are never a good thing in hockey. The Avalanche certainly understand this, as they were without their captain for about three years. However, there is a possible bright side with the timing of O’Connor’s injury.
By returning sometime in November or December, baring any setbacks, O’Connor will rejoin the Avalanche lineup for the second half of the season. The Avs will have a forward back for when the push for the playoffs starts. In some ways, O’Connor’s return will be the equivalent of the Avalanche making a trade for the playoff push. The Avalanche will gain a forward without having to give up anything in return.
Roster Construction
It is unclear how the Avalanche will construct their lineup to compensate for O’Connor’s absence. They may fill the void from within or the organization, but they could also seek help from the outside.
This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.
