Avalanche's Logan O'Connor Nearing Return After Lengthy Injury

The 29-year-old winger has been out since last year's playoffs but is making progress in his recovery.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:15pm

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Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar provided an update on injured forward Logan O'Connor, stating that the 29-year-old winger is back on the ice and making progress in his recovery. O'Connor has been out since last year's playoffs due to offseason hip surgery and a subsequent soft tissue injury. Bednar expressed confidence in O'Connor's recovery plan and said the team expects him to potentially rejoin the team in the near future.

Why it matters

O'Connor was a key contributor for the Avalanche in last year's playoffs, and his return could provide a boost to the team as they look to make a strong push in the second half of the season. The Avalanche have a busy schedule ahead, with 27 games in 51 days after the Olympic break, so having O'Connor back could be crucial.

The details

O'Connor underwent offseason hip surgery on June 6, which was originally expected to keep him out for 5-6 months. He was close to a return in November but suffered a new soft tissue injury that took him off the ice. Since then, updates on his status have been scarce, but Bednar has consistently maintained that the team expects to get O'Connor back at some point. Now, it seems that O'Connor is back on the ice and ramping up his recovery efforts.

  • O'Connor underwent hip surgery on June 6, 2025.
  • O'Connor was expected to return in November 2025 but suffered a new injury.
  • Bednar provided the latest update on O'Connor's progress on February 3, 2026.

The players

Jared Bednar

The head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

Logan O'Connor

A 29-year-old forward for the Colorado Avalanche who has been out since last year's playoffs due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“He's back on the ice, making progress. So that's good. He'll be a guy who uses this break to his advantage. He's planning on getting on the ice, staying on the ice, and working his way back to hopefully joining the team in the near future if everything goes well.”

— Jared Bednar, Head Coach (coloradohockeynow.com)

What’s next

The Avalanche have a busy schedule ahead, with 27 games in 51 days after the Olympic break. O'Connor's potential return could provide a boost to the team as they look to make a strong push in the second half of the season.

The takeaway

O'Connor's recovery from his lengthy injury layoff is a positive sign for the Avalanche, who will need all hands on deck as they navigate a packed schedule in the second half of the season. His return could provide a much-needed spark for the team as they aim to secure a playoff spot.