Avalanche's Logan O'Connor Return Teased After Epic Wild Win

Jared Bednar hints that the injured forward could rejoin the lineup soon.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild in a shootout on Sunday, and after the game, head coach Jared Bednar suggested that injured forward Logan O'Connor could be nearing a return to the lineup. O'Connor has been sidelined all season after undergoing hip surgery in the offseason, but Bednar indicated he is making progress in his recovery.

Why it matters

O'Connor's potential return would be a boost for the Avalanche, who currently have the best record in the NHL at 43-10-9. The forward has been a consistent contributor for the team over the past few seasons, providing depth scoring and strong two-way play.

The details

O'Connor, who went undrafted out of the University of Denver, has played in 343 games for the Avalanche since making his NHL debut in 2018-19. He has scored 45 goals and added 58 assists over that span, including a career-high 25 points in 57 games in the 2023-24 season. When he returns, O'Connor will likely slot into a bottom-six role, but his presence will add valuable depth to an already potent Avalanche lineup.

  • O'Connor underwent hip surgery in the offseason and has been sidelined all season.
  • He was nearing a return earlier in the season, but a new injury kept him off the ice.

The players

Logan O'Connor

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche who has been sidelined all season after undergoing hip surgery in the offseason.

Jared Bednar

The head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, who hinted that O'Connor could be nearing a return to the lineup.

Gabriel Landeskog

An Avalanche player who is currently out with an injury.

Nicolas Roy

A player who was recently acquired by the Avalanche via a trade.

Nazem Kadri

A player who was recently acquired by the Avalanche via a trade.

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What they’re saying

“Logan O'Connor is making strides and could be back in the lineup soon.”

— Jared Bednar, Head Coach (Colorado Hockey Now)

What’s next

The Avalanche will host the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night as they look to continue their strong start to the season.

The takeaway

The potential return of Logan O'Connor would be a welcome addition for the Avalanche, who are currently the best team in the NHL. His two-way play and depth scoring could provide a boost as the team looks to make another deep playoff run.