Avalanche News
The Latest on Injured Avalanche Forward Logan O’Connor
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar provided the latest update on injured forward Logan O’Connor on Tuesday. The 29-year-old winger has not played since last year’s playoffs.
“He’s back on the ice, making progress. So that’s good,” Bednar told reporters after practice. “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.”
O’Connor had offseason hip surgery on June 6 that was originally expected to keep him out for 5-6 months. He was getting close to a return in November before a new soft tissue injury took him off the ice.
Since then, updates have been nonexistent. O’Connor was not skating, and it was unclear when he would return. Throughout that period, Bednar would not commit to shutting down O’Connor for the season. It always sounded like the team expected to get him back at some point.
Now it seems like he’s back on track and working towards that.
“We feel confident in the plan and he feels good about it and he’s starting to ramp up again,” Bednar said.
After Wednesday’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks, the Avalanche won’t play again for three weeks. They close out the post-Olympic-break schedule with 27 games in 51 days.
O’Connor was excellent during the first-round series loss to the Dallas Stars last spring. Playing on a line with center Jack Drury and winger Parker Kelly, O’Connor had two goals and four assists in seven games.
This season is the first of a six-year, $15 million contract for O’Connor.
I hope LOC will come back after Olympics. I know it will take him a game or 2 to get acclimated but avs would finally have a healthy lineup
I was wondering what took aarif so long to report this.
The Avs gave the update on Tuesday. Aarif reported it on Tuesday. The timetable on his return isn’t exactly “stop the presses” in nature. I am not understanding the complaint.
I look forward to LOC rejoining the team.
With that said, in his absence, many commentators here seem to have mentally elevated LOC to a better player than he is. Fourth-line grinder. Useful on PK. Certainly better than AHL / replacement level. But let us be realistic.
Sasha is always disappointed that CMac doesn’t call Aarif first to give him exclusive scoops or his daily call log to prove he’s actually working the phones behind the scenes
Does anybody actually buy this “soft tissue” nonsense. How does a soft tissue injury that occurred while not taking any contact, keep you off the ice for an 2 – 3 additional months? Considering how cautious & vague Bednar has been about him. It screams of we hope he can come back at some point & it’s far from a guarantee. If they could LTIR him for the remainder of the year, including the postseason. And find ANYONE to take Victor Olofsson off their hands. That would give them another 4 million of space to work with at the deadline.… Read more »
Please explain Dr.Jeremy you seem to have all the answers
It’s not about being a doctor. It’s just common sense. A soft tissue injury which is typically a strain or slight pull. Usually take at most a month to heal from.
He was initially supposedly on track to be back in I believe early to mid Nov. It’s now February & he seems further away from playing now, than he was then. Believe what you will. But considering the Avs track record as it pertains to be honest about injuries & recovery times…welp I guess their bs still works on some!
Connective tissue or muscle injuries are both considered soft tissue injuries. If this is a connective tissue injury, the healing time is considerable due to decreased vascular supply. Muscle tears are also slow to heal, but not as slow as connective tissue. It is plausible that either of these injuries, aside from from bone, can sideline anyone for several months. Lastly, hip surgeries are highly invasive and have implications that go beyond the hip.
By the way, I had my wife type this out. She is a highly accredited physical therapist and knows this shit better than most.
I’m sure she knows her stuff it sounds like it. But my point is are we expected to believe this happened while he was rehabbing?
Yes.
I wish that was the case, a month to heal. I have had soft tissue and connective tissue injuries for over 30 years. They never have fully healed. It seems you are not an expert or authority on medical issues. Just an opinion. And we all know the saying about opinions….. I hope for and wish LOC good health and getting back into the lineup and staying healthy.
If it isn’t soft tissue, then what would be more likely?
Hard tissue
You can’t accrue cap space with players on LTIR, Doctor.
You put him on LTIR just prior to the deadline genius.
Go ahead and criticize Bednar for what happens on the ice but I think you’re shooting the messenger when it comes to injury info or player moves. The Avs are tight-lipped to the extreme but it’s hockey culture. I think you follow the Sabres. I’m fairly certain that all fan bases complain about injury transparency.
They could still put LOC on LTIR to free up a roster spot but by keeping him off of it thus far has allowed them to accrue more cap space to use at the TDL.
We share the same view of Olafsson
LOC isn’t on LTIR? I really believed he is. Are we sure about this?
(PuckPedia shows him on LTIR. It is on the internet. Has to be true)
To amplify your primary point, all NHL teams are very opaque regarding injuries. Heck, disclosing “upper body” vs. “lower body” was a quantum leap.
I actually find Bedsy to be quite a bit more forthcoming than other coaches/in other markets to whom I have had reasonable exposure. I’m not saying he willingly lifts the kimono – but relative to others? He seems pretty accommodating by NHL standards.
My bad. You’re right about LOC
BTW, I’m waiting for comments (Sasha) about how bad CMac is for not acquiring Panerin when all LA gave up was a top prospect and a mid round pick. I’ll hold my thoughts until I see the comments 😉
Lmfao. 🤣🤦♂️
I didn’t criticize Bednar. If anything I feel it’s silly he has to answer medical questions. I feel the league should make each team have a physician or doctor who is employed by the team to say..once a month be made available to give info on injuries & recovery. The NHL actively now makes money off of directly promoting these scumbag gambling companies. So there should be much more transparency & legitimacy given regarding injuries. It’s the least they can do. Not to mention the insane money you’re asking people to cough up to go to a game in person.… Read more »
Do you really think skating is his only form of rehab? I’m not an expert by any means, but no doubt he’s performing strength and endurance training as well as range of motion work, and I don’t know what else. Regarding on ice non contact training, even a pro can lose an edge now and then. No coach or spokesperson would be dumb enough to put out a “guaranteed” return date after a major surgery. Even though we’re fans they don’t owe us specific explanations in these circumstances.
I can’t recall many instances of hockey players getting hurt while rehabbing an injury that forces them to miss 2 – 3 additional months?