Avalanche’s O’Connor to make season debut; Colton to return

The Colorado Avalanche are getting some depth back at the right time, as the final stretch of the 2025-26 NHL regular season. 

Taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night, the Avs will welcome right wing Logan O’Connor to the lineup for the first time this season, as well as center Ross Colton for the first time since March 20. 

O’Connor, who has been with the organization since 2018-19, when he signed out of the University of Denver, underwent hip surgery in the offseason and was expected to be out up to six months. Last season, he played all but two games, netting 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points, marking the fourth straight regular season campaign that saw him crest the 20-point mark. 

The now 29-year-old was also a part of the team’s run to the 2021-22 Stanley Cup, scoring a goal and three assists in 17 playoff contests. Throughout his 343-career regular-season games, he has 45 goals and 103 points.

Meanwhile, Colton has dealt with several injuries since the 2025 playoffs, limiting him to 60 games in 2025-26. Most recently, he has missed the last six games, but will rejoin the lineup in Pittsburgh. 

Through his 60 games, the 29-year-old has been relatively productive, posting eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points. In his career, he has a near-even split of 88 goals and 87 assists for 175 regular-season points, having made his debut in the club’s 2021-22 Stanley Cup season. 

With the two returnees on Tuesday and the recent return of star forward Gabriel Landeskog from a lower-body injury in the last game against the Washington Capitals, the Avalanche are returning to health at the right time. 

With a playoff spot already secured, the team will have 12 remaining regular-season games after Tuesday’s contest.