Avalanche Lose Key Forward To Season-Ending Injury

The new forward additions the Colorado Avalanche have made will certainly come in handy, as they'll now have to do without Logan O'Connor for the rest of the season. Head coach Jared Bednar has announced that the forward will be undergoing season-ending hip surgery. 

Per head coach Jared Bednar, forward Logan O’Connor will have season-ending hip surgery.

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 10, 2024

A really tough break for the Avs' bottom-six, as the speedy O'Connor has had a nice season, with a career-high 13 goals, and was on pace for a career-high in points, as well as time on ice, with just a tick under 15 minutes per night. His two-way play has also been strong, with a plus/minus rating of +13 in 57 games.

It sounds like the hip issue has been lingering all season for O'Connor, who also missed some time in February due to the ailment. It certainly hasn't gone unnoticed on the ice of late, as related by Bednar in Colorado Hockey Now:

“You can kind of see a decline in his game, post-break. All injury related,” Bednar said. “He’s been a real good contributor to our team for a long time, really dialed in on what he has to do…(the hip has been) gradually getting worse and worse, and episodes are getting more frequent. There’s too much hockey yet to be played to have him not at his best. If he’s not as his best, then he can’t help us.”

The Avalanche geared up for a big run down the stretch by trading for forwards Casey Mitttelstadt and Brandon Duhaime along with defenseman Sean Walker. 

Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports