CENTENNIAL, Colo. — The Olympics may be in full swing in Italy, but here in Colorado the Colorado Avalanche are coming back to town. On Tuesday, NHL players could return to their teams for practice, with some Avalanche hitting the ice. On Wednesday, it was no different. Energy radiated through the rink and showed during the practice.
Lots of energy
The boys came out to start a normal practice, but with the Canadians playing the Czechs, their minds were elsewhere. Just as the game went into the last minutes, all the Avs rushed into the locker room to see which of their teammates were moving on. Within seconds of the final goal, the Avs came back out and seemed to have more energy than before the break. Players were moving faster down the ice, and the goalies were moving post-to-post quicker. The break may be the best thing that could have happened to the Avalanche. Josh Manson, who has played every game this season, is moving with no troubles at all. He has already played seven more games than he did last year.
Josh Manson, who has played EVERY GAME this season, has some great footwork for someone his size. He has always shocked me at how well he moves for his size. #Avs #GoAvsGo @HockeyMtnHighCO pic.twitter.com/Od0BOxnkja
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) February 18, 2026
Health updates and reassignments
There has been one looming question as the Avalanche exit the break: what is going on with Logan O’Connor? The forward had offseason hip surgery and had a setback in November, delaying his return to the team. Since then, there have been little to no updates for the Avalanche. During the break, O’Connor hit the ice and made some much needed progress. According to Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports, he still has more stages to go, but there is progress! This has been the most we have heard on O’Connor in some time now, so I am still hopeful he can play this season.
Jared Bednar said that Logan O’Connor is optimistic after getting on the ice over the break, but there are still more stages for him to clear in his return to play plan. He made good progress, but more progression and evaluation to go.
— Meghan Angley (@megangley) February 18, 2026
Defenseman Jacob MacDonald, who also had offseason hip surgery, was placed on waivers by the Avs on Tuesday. The former AHL Defenseman of the Year cleared on Wednesday and reassigned to the Colorado Eagles. Last season, he saw career highs in goals (31) and assists (55) in 63 games last season. He only missed time because of a nasty concussion against the San Jose Barracuda. MacDonald will add an offensive punch to the Eagles’ blueline and threat on their power play that has been missing all season.
Based on the AHL transaction log, Jacob MacDonald has cleared waivers and has been reassigned from the Avs to the Colorado Eagles. The Eagles play the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Fri and Sat and these would be his first games of the season. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry… pic.twitter.com/3sQ4XmE6Jx
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) February 18, 2026
What is next?
The Avalanche will continue to practice at Family Sports Center through February 24th while the Olympic Games continue through Sunday.
