O'Connor (hip) is still at least a week or two from returning to the lineup, though it could be longer, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports Friday.

EDGE Analysis

According to Masiask, the Avs will need that extra week or two to re-evaluate when the 29-year-old winger might be ready to get back into the lineup. Given that timeline, O'Connor shouldn't be expected back before the Christmas break, and possibly even into January. With such a lengthy layoff and a significant hip injury, O'Connor could be sent down to AHL Colorado for a conditioning assignment as the next step in his recovery.

O'Connor is dealing with soft tissue issues that are unrelated to his hip injury, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Jared Bednar said Monday that the soft tissue problems O'Connor is dealing with are nothing serious, but that explains why the 29-year-old hasn't returned to the lineup yet. O'Connor was originally expected to be available earlier this month, but considering the length of his absence in addition to this latest setback, it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-shot winger remain out until sometime in December.

O'Connor (hip) is not expected back during the Avs' four-game homestand, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

It was previously reported that O'Connor might be ready to play against the Oilers on Nov. 8, but that day has come and gone. The winger doesn't seem much closer to actually getting into a game. Once given the all-clear, O'Connor will likely start in a bottom-six role but could move up the lineup as needed.

O'Connor is expected to be ready in time for Colorado's road game against Edmonton on Nov. 8, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

O'Connor is set to miss the Avalanche's next three games -- Friday in Vegas, Saturday in San Jose and Tuesday against Tampa Bay -- before his anticipated return to the lineup. He hasn't played yet this season, but the 29-year-old will likely serve in a bottom-six capacity once he's healthy. His return might result in Zakhar Bardakov shifting out of the lineup.

O'Connor (hip) could be back in three weeks, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

O'Connor's recovery timeline looks like it'll push closer to mid-November than earlier in the month. That's still within the initial 5-6 month timeline he had after undergoing hip surgery during the offseason. The 29-year-old will be a welcome addition to the Avalanche's bottom six and penalty kill once he's healthy enough to play.

O'Connor (hip) was moved to long-term injured reserve on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

EDGE Analysis

O'Connor is expected to be out until early November, so this move provides the Avalanche with some cap flexibility without affecting his timeline to return. The 29-year-old is coming off of offseason hip surgery. Once healthy, he is expected to be a fixture in the Avalanche's bottom six.

O'Connor (hip) was designated for non-roster, injured reserve Monday.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, O'Connor will miss the beginning of the regular season, and this move simply makes it official. Assuming the initial 5-6 month recovery timeline holds, O'Connor will be looking to get back in action sometime before the holidays. His two-way game will be missed by the Avalanche, but he doesn't hold much fantasy value.

O'Connor (hip) is still on schedule to return in early November, Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports reports Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

That's in line with the timetable O'Connor was given when he underwent hip surgery in early June. He had 10 goals, 21 points, 26 PIM, 68 hits and 50 blocks across 80 regular-season outings in 2024-25. When healthy, O'Connor will likely serve in a bottom-six capacity.

O'Connor (hip) underwent surgery and is expected to miss 5-6 months, the team announced Friday.

EDGE Analysis

A 5-6 month recovery means a return in November at the earliest for O'Connor, who battled through 80 regular-season games in 2024-25, mostly in a bottom-six role. He scored 10 goals and added 11 assists in the regular season, but the 28-year-old brought it to a different level in the postseason -- he had six points in seven games in the team's first-round series loss to the Stars. If all goes well with his recovery, the Avalanche should be able to get him back for a big chunk of 2025-26.

O'Connor notched a shorthanded assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 7.

EDGE Analysis

O'Connor made up for a quiet regular season with two goals and four helpers over seven playoff games. The 28-year-old forward did all of that from a bottom-six role without power-play time. O'Connor signed a six-year extension with the Avalanche prior to the start of 2024-25, so he's part of their long-term plans as a reliable defensive depth forward who can move up the lineup when necessary.