Logan O'Connor extends his contract with the Avalanche for six years

DENVER – Logan O'Connor is here to stay.

The Avalanche announced Monday that O'Connor has signed a six-year contract extension. The deal, which keeps the veteran forward in Colorado through the 2030-31 season, is worth $2.5 million per season, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

“He's a tireless worker and competitor who brings energy and grit to the lineup every night,” general manager Chris MacFarland said of O'Connor, who won the Stanley Cup with the Avs in 2022. “His speed and skating ability make him a dangerous two-way player and he is one of our best penalty killers. Logan is also a great teammate and is proud to be a part of the Denver community.”

O'Connor is entering the final season of a three-year contract that pays him $1.05 million per season. He signed that deal three years ago on Sunday and will play the final year of that deal in 2024-25.

The 28-year-old is coming off a successful year that ended prematurely with a season-ending injury last March. O'Connor scored 13 goals and 25 points in 57 games, including his first hat trick in an away game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He is fully healthy and ready for the 2024-25 season.

The Avs initially signed O'Connor as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2018. He was entering his senior year at DU and had just been named captain of the Pioneers. O'Connor played in just five games for Colorado the following season, but eventually worked his way into a full-time position among the final six.

During the Cup-winning postseason, O'Connor was used alongside veterans Darren Helm and Andrew Cogliano on the Avs' crucial fourth line in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

There's no question that the Avalanche seriously missed O'Connor late last season after his injury was announced. He had spent most of the season building chemistry on a line with new additions Ross Colton and Miles Wood, and his absence was felt.

The trio has been reunited most days throughout training camp and will likely play together quite often this season as the missing offensive players in the top six return. O'Connor is also an early candidate for playing minutes in the top six while waiting for the return of Gabrie Landeskog, Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen.