The Colorado Avalanche are set to get a familiar piece back in the lineup on Oct. 23, with all signs pointing to Logan O’Connor making his season debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Ball Arena.
O’Connor has yet to appear in the 2026-27 NHL season after stepping away from the team following the death of his father, Myles O’Connor, who suddenly died at age 59. His return also comes after he dealt with a preseason lower-body injury on Sept.
- The winger was spotted skating on Colorado’s fourth line during practice on Oct. 22, a strong indication that he’s ready to go.
In the meantime, the Avalanche shuffled a couple of roster spots. Gavin Brindley was sent down to the AHL Colorado Eagles, while Taylor Makar was brought back up.
Brindley has appeared in four games for Colorado this season and picked up an assist against the Devils on Oct. 20. At 22, he’s expected to take on a bigger role with the Eagles.
O’Connor is expected to slide into a fourth-line role alongside Parker Kelly, and head coach Jared Bednar made clear how much that pairing matters.
"Putting Parker Kelly and OC [O’Connor] and that line back together - that helps. They’re a momentum-turning line," Bednar said per Mile High Sports. "They can grind teams down in the offensive zone, get a shift started your way when other lines are having trouble because of their forechecking ability, because of their work ethic, because of their detail in the offensive zone, and it can help get it started, so other lines can sort of find their footing."
Kelly has already been productive this season, averaging 12:49 of ice time while putting up five points, including one goal and four assists. He said he’s eager to have O’Connor back beside him.
"I got my guy coming back with me, Logan, and [I'm] really excited for him to get back in the lineup. It just feels like a long time in the making.
Didn’t really get to play with him at all last year, with his injuries and stuff. So to have him miss the first couple games this year was tough,” Kelly also said per Mile High Sports.
"I’m just really excited for him to come help me out because he’s a great player and he brings so much to this room. We all just love having him on the ice with us.
We’re just over the moon to have him back in the lineup."
A Greater Houston, Texas, native, O’Connor originally signed a six-year deal with Colorado after going undrafted and playing three seasons at the University of Denver, where he won a National Championship in 2016-17.
He enters the 2026-27 season with 105 career points, including 45 goals and 60 assists.
Colorado heads into the matchup with 11 points in the Central Division and a 5-4-1 record. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. Central.
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