The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed forward Logan O’Connor to a two-year deal. The team cites elevation of his game as a catalyst.
The Colorado Avalanche are in their offseason. As teams do in their offseason, the Avs are taking care of business for next year.
One of the items of business is signing free agents. Colorado has eight pending UFAs and nine pending RFAs. O’Connor’s signing took care of one of the latter.
The forward’s current contract is a standard deal for two years. His NHL contract carries a cap hit of $725,000 per year. His AHL salary will be $200,000 for the 2020-21 season but go up to his full $750,000 the following season.
Undrafted, O’Connor did three years of college hockey with the DU Pioneers. His play in Denver caught the NHL club’s attention. They invited him to their prospect development camp in 2018. Soon after, they signed him to an entry-level deal.
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O’Connor has spent the majority of the last two seasons with the AHL Colorado Eagles. In 104 games with the Eagles, O’Connor has recorded 31 goals and 36 assists for 67 points. O’Connor does have some NHL experience. He’s played 21 regular season games for the Avalanche. He has two goals, both of them coming this season.
Colorado invited O’Connor into the playoff bubble. Thanks to all the injuries on the Avalanche team, he actually made his NHL playoffs debut. He came into Game 3 in the second round game against the Dallas Stars. He didn’t score any goals, but he did record an assist.
I have been impressed with O’Connor since watching him at that 2018 development camp. I was especially impressed with his speed in these playoffs. The Avalanche are a fast-skating team by design. O’Connor kept up — and exposed Dallas’ slowness on more than one occasion.
After the signing, GM Joe Sakic said of the forward:
"“Logan has continued to elevate his game each season and made the most of his opportunities this year and in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He’s a hardworking player who brings speed and energy to our lineup and we’re excited to have him for another two seasons.”"
O’Connor sure seems to be all of the above.
I expect Logan O’Connor will report to the Eagles when the AHL resumes. However, the Avalanche organization are showing their belief in the young forward and their commitment to building up from drafting and, in this case, scouting.