The Colorado Avalanche and general manager Chris MacFarland have some exciting news to break as the exhibition season is getting underway for clubs around the NHL. Today they announce the signing of winger Logan O’Connor to a six-year contract extension. He was already under contract for this upcoming season. Furthermore, the deal will pay the 28-year-old Avalanche lifer thus far, an average annual value of $2.5M.
#GoAvsGo Logan O'Connor contract extension:
6 years x $2.5 million = $15 million2025-26: $3m
2026-27: $2.25m
2027-28: $3m
2028-29: $2.75m
2029-30: $2.20m
2030-31: $1.8mAll salary, no signing bonus.
Limited 6-team NTC, changes to 4 teams for 2030-31.
UFA at age 34.— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 23, 2024
Logan O’Connor Re-Signs Contract Extension in Colorado
Logan O’Connor is coming off a big season personally for the Avalanche. However, he is also coming off a season that ended with him needing hip surgery. He has played six years for the Avalanche totaling 263 career regular season games. 2023-24 still saw him hit career marks despite missing a third of the season. The following were career-highs for the Texas State native, 13 goals, 14:57 average time on ice, 15.3 shooting percentage, and 0.44 points-per-game. His 25 points come on the heels of seasons of 24 and 26 in 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. In contrast, those previous two campaigns saw him play basically a full slate of NHL games.
What Does This Mean for the Avalanche
O’Connor has been a long time developing into the contributor he is today. However, he is now established as a key component to his club’s middle six. Anyone close to the organization knows how important he is and now he has the contract to just sit back and play. It will be interesting to see what O’Connor can do with a full season based on last year’s production. He kills penalties, plays responsible minutes, and has shown an intangible of chipping offensively. Two of the more excited Avalanche players to see O’Connor signed, are his linemates from last year. According to moneypuck.com, together with Miles Wood and Ross Colton, the trio played 282 minutes together and registered an expected goals percentage of 56.2%. Moreover, the Avs have some turnover from last including getting Erik Brannstrom, Parker Kelly, and Casey Mittelstadt acclimated to the lineup. If these type of players can help round out their depth, especially on forward, Colorado will be much more competitive in 2024-25. That could be scary for their fellow Central Division rivals.
Main Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing – USA TODAY Sports
