Colorado Avalanche extends contract with F Logan O'Connor for six years

DENVER – Logan O'Connor and the Colorado Avalanche have agreed to a six-year contract extension that will keep him with the organization through the 2030-31 season.

The 28-year-old forward is coming off an injury-plagued season that ended prematurely in March when he underwent hip surgery. Despite playing in just 57 games, he scored a career-high 13 goals. O'Connor was part of the Avalanche team that won the Stanley Cup in 2022.

“We are thrilled to have 'OC' under contract for the next seven years,” Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said in a statement. “He is a tireless worker and competitor who brings energy and grit to the lineup every night. His speed and skating ability make him a dangerous player in both directions and he is one of our best penalty killers.”

Before turning pro, O'Connor played three seasons for the University of Denver. He was a member of the Pioneers team that won an NCAA championship in 2016-17.

O'Connor signed with Colorado as a free agent in July 2018 and made his NHL debut on December 31, 2018. He has played 263 games in six seasons, scoring 35 goals.

When news of his contract extension broke, O'Connor and his 10 teammates said they reached out to him.

“It shows how unique and incredible our dressing room is,” O'Connor said Monday night before a preseason game.

O'Connor said the team of Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen is determined to get back to the top of hockey. The Avalanche were eliminated in the first and second rounds of the 2023 playoffs last season.

Colorado has no specific timetable for the return of captain Gabriel Landeskog (knee) or forward Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder surgery). However, the Avalanche will be without forward Val Nichushkin until mid-November as he serves a suspension that was announced during the team's second-round loss to Dallas.

O'Connor's return from injury is a great boost for us.

“I think the organization gives us a chance to win every year,” O'Connor said. “I think you learn from your mistakes, and the last two years we obviously haven't accomplished what we could have. But I think there's some new excitement about it this year.”

“We're two years away from the top. That's long gone at this point and we want to re-establish ourselves as a team that can win again.”