Evan Rawal
Die-hard Colorado Avalanche fans should have a level of familiarity with Chris Wagner. Back during the 2015-16 campaign, the Avalanche picked him up on waivers from the Anaheim Ducks in their constant search for depth. He played 26 games for the team, picking up four goals and providing a ton of energy, but the team placed him back on waivers before the season ended.
At that time, the 24 year old was just trying to show he could play in the NHL. How different is he now, at 32, compared to the guy Avalanche fans saw years ago?
“A lot of experience,” Wagner joked on Saturday.
Colorado signed Wagner on July 1, bringing in the veteran forward as depth in an organization that didn’t have a ton of it down the middle. However, it wasn’t long after signing with the Avalanche that Wagner suffered a serious injury while training. It’s a fair assumption that if Wagner had been healthy, he would have already seen time in the NHL with the Avalanche.
A ruptured achilles tendon didn’t allow for that to happen.
“I was doing extra sprint work back home before I was going out to skate,” Wagner said, recalling how the injury occurred. “Doing skater hops…hop, hop, land. I don’t know if you saw the guy on the 49ers do it on the sideline, it was the exact same movement.”
Poor timing for the Avalanche, and especially for Wagner. Not only had he just signed a contract with Colorado, who were still searching for players to fill out their bottom six, but he and his wife had a two month old at home. The injury made him immobile for a while, and he credits his wife for helping out during the entire process.
It was a grueling six month rehab, and the veteran returned to the lineup for the Colorado Eagles on Jan. 13. Now, he’s back in the NHL, and expected to dress on Sunday against the Arizona Coyotes.
“It was tough,” he said. “You go through ups and downs throughout the rehab process. Mentally, just being away from the team, not being in the best mood every day. I’m just grateful to be here.”
In 11 games with the Eagles, Wagner racked up seven points and making an immediate impact. He’s only played 2 NHL games since the 2020-21 campaign, but with the struggles of the bottom six on the Avalanche, he’ll have a chance to earn some games down the stretch.
His physical style may help him stand out from some of the other options Colorado has, and his history of winning face-offs at a higher rate than Fredrik Olofsson could give him a leg up in a potential competition for the fourth line center job.
Back in 2016, Wagner was just trying to show he belongs at this level.
In 2024, nothing has changed.
“I was just trying to prove that I could play in the NHL (in 2016). It’s funny, because I still am now,” Wagner told me on Saturday. “It kind of feels like it’s my first go around after a couple years being down. Once I practiced, it was kind of like, ‘Oh yeah, I remember how to do this.'”
While Jared Bednar wouldn’t confirm Wagner will be in the lineup on Sunday, I expect him to play. Logan O’Connor is still unlikely to play due to a lower-body injury, and Wagner can provide a lot of the same energy the DU alum brings, at least in spurts.
“I don’t take being here for granted at all, especially (after) the last couple years.”