Aarif Deen
The recent acquisitions of Nic Roy, Nazem Kadri, Nick Blankenburg, and Brett Kulak shored up what was already a deep Avalanche lineup.
But given the recent updates from Jared Bednar, it sounds like the Avs could also get Logan O’Connor back in the lineup soon. Bednar said on Tuesday that the team is developing a plan for O’Connor’s return to play. The 29-year-old veteran forward took part in morning skate ahead of a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, continuing what has been an upward trajectory of ice time over the past several weeks.
“He’s working his way back. So the next step in his protocol is to get moving in non-contact. Get moving more instinctually,” Bednar said. “He’s going to make this trip with us and skate with us every chance we get and then sometimes on his own. Then we’ll see what the plan is for next week to try to get him as close to in-game return as we possibly can.”
O’Connor has net played this season. He was a key contributor during the Avs’ seven-game series loss last spring, posting two goals and six points in seven appearances. Last June, O’Connor had hip surgery and was announced as out for 5-6 months. He was nearing a return in November when another undisclosed injury took him off the ice for a lengthy period.
The eight-year Avalanche vet is in the first of a six-year contract extension. He would most certainly bolster a deep Avalanche bottom six, likely slotting back into his usual role as the right winger of the fourth line with Jack Drury and Parker Kelly.
Bednar wouldn’t commit to a conditioning assignment for O’Connor, as everything is still on the table to help get him back in game action.
Following Sunday’s shootout victory against Minnesota, Bednar spoke about O’Connor without being asked about him. The confidence in what he delivered said a lot about how the team is likely feeling about a potential return to the lineup.
“Logan O’Connor is doing really well, and hopefully he’s going to get back in the lineup here soon. He’s making great strides,” Bednar said over the weekend.