Colorado will open the regular season without Logan O’Connor and Zach L’Heureux, with both forwards placed on injured reserve ahead of Wednesday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Kings.
Opening night is here, but the Colorado Avalanche won’t have their full group.
Logan O’Connor and Zach L’Heureux will both watch from the sidelines Wednesday when the Colorado Avalanche open their season against the Los Angeles Kings.
Both forwards were placed on injured reserve Monday, retroactive to Sept. 21, leaving Colorado to begin the season with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed to reporters that neither forward will be available due to lower-body injuries.
When he spoke Sunday, he said both O’Connor and L’Heureux were day-to-day after getting dinged up in the final preseason game. Neither player practiced that day, potentially opening the door for them to play on opening night.
That door ultimately closed Tuesday.
Both injuries aren’t considered to be long-term concerns. However, losing two forwards on the eve of the regular season forces the Avalanche to make some adjustments.
O’Connor has carved out an important role in Colorado’s lineup with his speed, forechecking ability and willingness to do the less glamorous work that can tilt a game. He has also become one of the more dependable players in the Avalanche’s bottom-six group, and he’s one of the best penalty killers in the league.
L’Heureux brings a different element.
The 22-year-old forward is entering the season looking to establish himself as a regular in Colorado after joining the Avalanche in the offseason. His physicality and competitive edge give the lineup some added bite, but the organization certainly didn’t expect for L’Heureux to start the year from the press box.
For now, both players will have to wait.
Their absences creates an immediate opportunity for one of Colorado’s younger forwards, particularly with T.J. Hughes sticking with the Avalanche to begin the season.
Bednar confirmed Sunday that Hughes, an undrafted standout from the University of Michigan, would begin the season with the Avalanche. The young forward has caught Bednar’s attention throughout training camp and the preseason, particularly with his hockey sense, skill level and ability to create offense.
“He’s got an elite brain, great skill level,” Bednar said. “Makes plays, you know? I think he’s a guy that can produce offense for us. Done it at every level.”
Hughes was not simply handed a roster spot because of the injuries to O’Connor and L’Heureux, however. Bednar said the Avalanche waited until after Sunday’s preseason game to make their final roster decisions, giving the entire body of work from training camp and exhibition play a chance to factor into the equation.
Hughes certainly made a strong case for himself. The 24-year-old erupted for three goals and an assist in Saturday’s 5-2 preseason win over the Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena, giving Colorado’s coaching staff plenty to consider as they finalized the opening-night roster. That performance certainly didn’t hurt.
“You’re trending in certain ways and then things can fall off for players,” Bednar said. “Someone else could have a good night. You’re gonna use the whole time you have to make the decision.”
That process ultimately led to Hughes remaining in Colorado.
Now, the Avalanche will begin the regular season without O’Connor and L’Heureux available, opening the door for another young forward to make his mark on opening night.
The injuries have changed the look of Colorado’s lineup temporarily, but the season opener is still here.
On Wednesday, the Avalanche will get back to business.
