Colorado Avalanche surprisingly extends a six-year contract to a player with a sub-30 point record
Photo credit: USA Today sports
While the Colorado Avalanche have typically concentrated on retaining their star players, they have recently made a surprising decision to extend a depth forward.
Colorado Avalanche has made a bold decision, signing Logan O'Connor to a six-year contract extension, despite his recent hip surgery and sporadic scoring record.
This move, sanctioned by Joe Sakic, the widely acclaimed executive of the Avalanche, signifies a gamble on O'Connor's potential and health.
«We are thrilled to have ''OC'' under contract for the next seven years,» said Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland. «He is a relentless worker and competitor who brings energy and grit to the lineup every night. His speed and skating ability makes him a dangerous two-way player and he is one of our top penalty killers. Logan is also a great teammate and takes pride in being a part of the Denver community.»
In the 2023/24 season, O'Connor was on a career-high trajectory with 13 goals and 25 points in just 57 games, almost surpassing his previous best of 26 points, before his season was cut short by injury. The extension, worth $2.5 million annually according to Pierre LeBrun, might not appear excessive at first glance. However, given O'Connor's history and production level, this contract could be seen as a hefty investment.
Sakic's reputation as a top NHL executive is built on making such calculated risks. By backing O'Connor, the Avalanche hopes he will solidify his place as a reliable third-liner, particularly alongside Ross Colton. The strategy appears to bank heavily on O'Connor's full recovery and continuation of his pre-injury form. The expectations for the 2024/25 season are towering, and early performances will be crucial in validating Sakic's decision.
With a high-stakes environment and the team's aspirations hanging in the balance, the Avalanche's commitment to O'Connor is clear. They believe in his upward trajectory and anticipate his significant contribution to the team's success.
Prior to turning pro, O'Connor spent three seasons as a student at the University of Denver. As a sophomore in the 2016-17 season, he played in all forty-four games and contributed seven goals and eleven assists to the Pioneers' NCAA championship victory.
Along with his national championship, he finished his college career with 43 points from 16 goals and 27 assists in 108 games. He also won the NCHC regular-season championship in 2016-17 and the tournament championship in 2017-18.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on O'Connor to see if he can live up to the faith placed in him by one of hockey's most respected figures. The outcome of this deal will likely influence the team's future decisions and could redefine player valuation, particularly for those with similar profiles to O'Connor.
Previously on Hockey Trade Rumours
| POLL | ||
23 SEPTEMBRE | 39 ANSWERS Colorado Avalanche surprisingly extends a six-year contract to a player with a sub-30 point record Do you think Logan O'Connor will prove his worth with the Avalanche? | ||
| Yes | 19 | 48.7 % |
| No | 20 | 51.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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