CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Back in June, the Colorado Avalanche announced that forward Logan O’Connor had had a second hip surgery. The original expectation was that O’Connor would be back in 5–6 months. The former University of Denver Pioneer had been skating until recently with the team until last week. He still had not shed his red non-contact jersey, so there was concern that something could be wrong with his rehabilitation and his progress. From the sound of it, there has been a setback.

On Monday morning, head coach Jared Bednar told the media that O’Connor had a non-hip related injury pop up. The injury was of some soft tissue, and that set his expected return. It sounds like he could still be back within the six-month range, just at the latter end of it. Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette posted that this is the reason we have not seen O’Connor return to the team yet.

Other updates

Valeri Nichushkin left the game against the Anaheim Ducks early, playing only two shifts in the third period. Later in the week, coach Bednar said that he will be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. But on Monday, he appeared during the optional skate in good spirits to take shots on the ice in shorts and shoes.

During a game four weeks ago, Joel Kiviranta got injured. He left the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets early on October 16 with a lower-body injury and has not played since. His estimated return was going to be 6–8 weeks, and we are at week four since the injury. Last week, Kiviranta skated before the team in a non-contact sweater, and on Monday he has since shed it. According to coach Bednar, the Finn could join the team soon to work his way back. The key question would be: who would get benched when he returns, or does Kiviranta not play at all?