Adrian Dater
Well, remember when we said earlier how the Avalanche weren’t calling anyone up from the minors because of cap space issues? Well, I’m sure Joe Sakic and Jared Bednar already knew they would soon be getting a new player to the team. That player, it turned out, is big, veteran defenseman Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks.
In a deal done about a half-hour ago, the Avs acquired Manson in exchange for good prospect defenseman Drew Helleson and the team’s second-round pick in 2023.
My first thought: Avs overpaid a little here. Helleson is considered a very good young defensive prospect, who just completed his junior year with Boston College and played for the U.S. on various international teams.
But Manson is a proven D-man, who is big (6-3, 218) and plays with a mean streak, who hits a lot, but can take some dumb penalties. He has 431 penalty minutes in 453 career games. Not all the penalties will be smart probably, but the reason why the Avs got him is obvious now: they still think they lacked size and toughness out there. And, penalties when it comes to hard hits and “toughness” aren’t called as much in the playoffs.
He is the son of former longtime NHL defenseman, Dave Manson.
Here’s what former Avs D-man and current Altitude Avs analyst John-Michael Liles thinks of the deal, telling Colorado Hockey Now: “I like him a lot. Exactly what they needed. I still think they will add, but he’s a big piece on the back end. It wouldn’t shock me if they re-signed him if he plays well in playoffs.”
Well, that would address one other thing I didn’t love about the deal, at first glance: he’s UFA after this season, with a $4.1 million cap hit already. He is 30 years old.
The Avs did get some help on the cap hit from the Ducks, and that essentially paid for the second-pick they wouldn’t have given if they hadn’t gotten it:
From the Avs’ release:
Manson also plays a lot of PK, and that’s something of a need for the Avs right now too. He has played mostly with Cam Fowler on the Ducks. His Corsi at even strength is 45.7 – average. The year before that: 37.6. Not good. I think he’ll have better numbers on this team, though. He’s gotten hurt a few times, sometimes from fighting. He’s a right shot D.
I have to strongly believe the Avs will be making another move or two by Monday’s deadline. I definitely would expect a forward or two coming this way. I’m also wondering if Sam Girard’s days are numbered here? Avs will have to drop a player from their top six to fit Manson in (unless they want to replace a guy like Jack Johnson with Manson, or if Bo Byram isn’t good enough physically to return, etc., etc.).
The trading of Helleson means the Avs (likely anyway) had more faith in the development of former first-round pick Justin Barron than Helleson, who probably was still 2-3 years away from NHL level.
The Avs were/are of the firm belief that they needed to still get bigger and tougher for the playoffs. He’s a nasty guy to play against. He can really hit hard. This trade addresses that need a lot. But did it cost too much in future assets?
We can’t answer that now, of course, but it’ll be interesting to find out.
Meanwhile, here’s a random young dude on YouTube giving his take on the deal. I love the Internet!