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Change In Contract Clause Creates Trade Flexibility With Avalanche Defenseman
I’m not saying the Colorado Avalanche will trade Josh Manson this summer, but recent a change to one of the clauses in his contract now gives them some options.
When the Avalanche signed Manson to his four year, $18 million contract after winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, a no-trade clause was included. That’s typically the price you pay when you sign someone who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. For the first two years of the deal, Manson’s contract included a full no-trade clause.
That is no longer the case.
On June 15, 2024, that no-trade clause went from applying to every team in the league to now just applying to 12 other NHL teams, according to CapFriendly (you will be missed). That means that Manson has to submit a list of 12 teams he would deny a trade to. That doesn’t mean the Avalanche couldn’t trade him to any of those teams, but they would have to go to Manson to get permission to make that move. If he says no, which he would have the right to do, the deal doesn’t happen. They wouldn’t have to do that for the other 19 teams not included on his no-trade list.
Manson, who will turn 33 right after training camp ends this October, is coming off his most productive NHL season since 2017-18, having scored a career high eight goals and picking up 25 points. A big reason he was able to do that is because he was able to stay on the ice. Availability had been an issue for Manson over the previous four seasons. Between 2019 and 2023, he had only managed to dress in 167 of a possible 302 games.
During the 2022-23 campaign with the Avalanche, his first full season after signing the big contract, he was limited to just 27 games due to an abdominal injury. Manson had surgery to repair that issue last summer, and after missing most of training camp, dressed in 76 games this past season, as well as all 11 in the playoffs. That’s a big improvement, but given his injury history, style of play, and age, can you expect that to happen again?
Manson is a solid defenseman who has a lot more skill than you might expect, but he is also is a bit unpredictable at times. He’ll make ill-advised pinches at the offensive blueline and in the neutral zone that leave his defensive partner hanging, and is prone to the ugly giveaway from time-to-time. On the flip side, he brings an element that no other defenseman on the roster can provide, and that’s a nasty side. If you trade him, a relatively small defensive core suddenly gets a little smaller.
If the Avalanche are trading Manson, they would look to replace him with someone who would cost less. At $4.5 million, you could argue Manson is a little overpaid for what he provides. There are some bigger defensemen that will be available on the free agent market this summer, including Dmitry Kulikov, Brenden Dillon, and Jani Hakanpää, just to name a few. With the salary cap going up, GM’s might go a little crazy this off-season, but none of those guys should get the $4.5 million that Manson currently is making. I’m sure there’s one GM out there that wants to prove me wrong, though.
Trading Manson is far from a guarantee, but with this recent change in his contract, the Avalanche now have a bit of flexibility.
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Your analysis is accurate as always Evan. The one thing that talented cheaper Dman don’t bring is Manson’s toughness. Dave taught his son to fight very well. The Av’s desperately need the ability to stand up for themselves. I found the criticism of Manson unfounded in the Dallas series when people indicated he didn’t retaliate against Benn but didn’t acknowledge that Manson knocked him onto the bench. Benn wanted nothing to do with Manson and calmed down for the rest of the series. If the Av’s continue to get softer they will never advance in the playoffs.
I think Dillon could provide similar toughness, but toughness isn’t always about fighting. Same with Hakanpaa.
Agreed both of those guys are tough.
“On the flip side, he brings an element that no other defenseman on the roster can provide, and that’s a nasty side. If you trade him, a relatively small defensive core suddenly gets a little smaller.” Trade Manson and the Avs will be significantly smaller and less physical. The Avs do not have any other players that substitute what Manson brings to the team. I can undestand the need to maybe trade Manson, but the Avs need his size and physicality. If Malinski plays next season, the Avs will have 4 defensemen that are puck movers. Do they need 4?… Read more »
I didn’t expect you to say that Glendon. I’m surprised.
Which part? Trading Girard or getting physical? Girard is a good defenseman, but the team needs to get bigger and with the cap issues, unfortunately someone may have to go. The Avs may keep everyone and just try to fill in with budget players. There are plenty of $1 million d-men. I also want the team to try and keep Trenin or replace him with another big and defensive minded 4C.
Trading Girard but supporting Manson because he intimidates people with his toughness and ability to fight when needed. I always enjoy reading your comments.
I have always been for toughness, but I do not believe that toughness equates to fighting or being a dirty player. Manson is a tough and physical player. Yes, he is willing to fight, but that is not is primary role. Manson, while big and physical, is not a guy who plants himself in front of the net and crushes anyone who approaches. The Avs could use someone in that role for the 3rd pair. Most teams only have one or two offensive minded puck movers on defense. The Avs have three with Makar, Toews, and Girard. They may play… Read more »
Well we wouldn’t want you to faint at a live game because there’s a fight on the ice. 🤦♂️
Right!? 🤣
Gulliver, I agree with you 100%. Either Manson or Sammy. I would move Sammy as you stated. He gets too swallowed up by big forwards in front of the net and oftentimes has trouble clearing the zone when being checked. I like the idea of another team taking his affordability in order for the D-corps to get bigger.
Seeing how physical these playoffs have been: trading Manson would be a mistake. COL needs his physicality to backbone a long championship run.
Don’t know if I would trade Manson, he is the one guy it seems on the Avalanche that will hit somebody. Maybe JJ, that is it. I think the Avalanche need some more toughness!!
I rather trade girade to sens and take flyer on pinto if can sign for good price
At the ’21 trade deadline Pierre LeBrun seemed convinced that the Avs were going to make a trade for Alec Martinez. Those kinds of rumors don’t usually materialize out of a vacuum. I wonder if he might be a UFA they’d be interested in on a cheap deal. Of course he’s 3 years older now and seems to have been injured quite a bit recently. The one other thing to keep in mind about Manimal besides him being the main physical presence on the team at this point is that he’s a right shot. He’s made quite a contribution in… Read more »
If avs trade manson I would def trade him to the east and sign kulikov. Then sign Dillon.
Toews makar
Kulikov girard
Dillon malinski
Jones
Got two tough customers for price of one
If you think Manson has numerous brain farts, wait until you watch Kulikov.
I don’t understand the banging of the drum since the end of the year by some to trade Manson. He’s a fit with Girard, is the only guy on the back end that isn’t soft as TP & is a good skater especially for his size. If you trade him, you have to get another top 4 defender who can play 20 minutes a night. And those guys all cost at minimum 3 – 4 per. Didn’t Connor Clifton get 3.5 a year last off – season?? Connor friggin Clifton. The same people who think the Avs would be wise… Read more »
Well, Manson isn’t really a 20 minute guy either. Averaged a little under 18 a night this year, so that’s what you’re looking at.
I really don’t have a problem with Manson, but I also don’t see him playing 76 games again, based off his injury history.
Fair point on both his recent injury history & his age. I just happen to think he’s an excellent fit & adds an element to the D – core the Avs lacked prior to him getting her for years. Unless you account for Z. But he never evolved enough to be reliable enough, while here.
Could he be replaced with a slightly younger, cheaper version? Sure he could, I just think when you look at what guys like him typically command 3 – 4 per. What would be the point? Unless it’s a clear upgrade.
The Rangers are rumored to be shopping Trouba, if the Avs want real toughness.
Bad idea, unless they get a similar combo size/toughness and skill level Dman.Is big Z an option, or is he still persona nongratta w Avs?
Z will likely get more than Manson.
Trade Manson. $ for acquiring Tanev at a little cheaper price.
Trade Gorgiev & Girard for Ullmark. Girard $ = to Ullmark bc $ for next year. See if Ullmark works. Potential upgrade over Gorgiev. Have Gorgiev $ to use.
I’d go after Harley with Dallas. Way bigger & better than Girard.
Our D & goaltending sucked last year. Numbers tell us so. So fix the problem!
I’ve always liked Jani Hakanpää. He’s an absolute giant of a man and skates deceptively well for his size. Unfortunately, another team will sign him for more than we can afford…