Colorado is leaning on the college-to-pro pipeline, signing Alex Gagne and Ronald Attard to pro deals while bringing Sean Behrens back from a knee injury and counting on Logan O’Connor and Sam Malinski to anchor the system. Gagne, a 6-foot-5 defenseman who captained New Hampshire, will begin in the AHL with the Eagles, and Attard’s two-way deal should log plenty of time in Colorado’s depth. Behrens’ return adds immediate blue-line upside, while O’Connor and Malinski provide veteran presence and internal competition. It’s a deliberate path to replenish youth after a busy trade-and-draft cycle, with the Eagles as a proving ground and COL roster depth as the ultimate goal.

The Avalanche have consistently mined college free agents, and these moves underscore a long-term plan to fill the pipeline from within. By prioritizing players who waited to turn pro and emphasizing AHL development, Colorado aims to cushion injury gaps and rotations while keeping the NHL roster competitive in a salary- and asset-conscious environment.

The Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a precarious situation heading into the season, particularly in their bottom six. With Logan O'Connor sidelined due to injury, the team faces a pressing need for depth on their third line. Potential trade targets include J.T. Compher, currently with the Red Wings, and Lawson Crouse from the Mammoth. Furthermore, if the New York Islanders struggle, Jean-Gabriel Pageau could become a viable option later in the season.

While keeping Charlie Coyle would have been ideal for center depth, the need for salary cap flexibility led to his departure along with Miles Wood. Meanwhile, as the Calgary Flames navigate their own challenges, their leading scorer Nazem Kadri's name has surfaced in trade discussions, which may not align with the team's goals.

A deep connection exists between the University of Denver's hockey program and the Colorado Avalanche, highlighted by the presence of former players like Paul Statsny and current talents such as Logan O'Connor and Sean Behrens. Freshmen Jake Fisher and Tory Pitner, both part of the Avalanche's 2024 draft class, aim to extend this tradition. Fisher, a fourth-round pick, boasts an impressive scoring record at DU, while Pitner, a sixth-round pick, is working on his game at the Avalanche development camp.

The Pioneers, who were the defending NCAA champions, face challenges with the departure of key players but look forward to a promising season. Fisher and Pitner are keen to step into larger roles and are excited about the possibility of playing together in the NHL after college. Both players are committed to their development, drawing from their experiences under DU head coach David Carle.

Colorado Avalanche have made a significant move this offseason by signing center Brock Nelson to a three-year, $22.5 million contract. Nelson, who will provide essential support behind star Nathan MacKinnon, is seen as a stabilizing force for the team as they continue to rebuild following Nazem Kadri's departure. Additionally, depth forward Logan O’Connor is set to miss the start of the next season due to surgery, potentially affecting roster decisions as the team looks to navigate the salary cap.

Despite these challenges, the addition of Nelson presents an exciting opportunity for the Avalanche to enhance their offense, while O’Connor's injury may allow for some salary cap flexibility. With the current salary cap situation, Colorado must carefully consider their roster choices, especially with key players like Cale Makar and Martin Necas on the roster. As they approach the season, the Avalanche are poised to balance new signings with existing player contracts.

Logan O'Connor of the Colorado Avalanche underwent hip surgery and is projected to miss five to six months, which could sideline him until December. This season, he contributed 21 points over 80 games, including 10 goals and 11 assists, positioning himself 29th in Frank J. Selke Trophy voting, awarded to the league's top defensive forward.

In his seven-year career, all with the Avalanche, O'Connor has amassed 103 points, comprising 45 goals and 58 assists across 343 games played. His absence will be felt as the team looks to maintain momentum following a competitive season.