Avs make deal with Ducks for Josh Manson
Colorado bolsters defense as they prepare for Stanley Cup run
The Colorado Avalanche are loading up for a run at the Stanley Cup and added a veteran right-shot defenseman with good size in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks.
Here is a look at Colorado’s addition of Josh Manson.
The Avalanche Get: D Josh Manson
Manson, 30, had been a mainstay on the Anaheim Blueline since 2014-2015 but his ice time and performance dropped off significantly last season. He played a career low 17:59 per game and he was buried in terms of shot attempts (41.3 CF%) and expected goals (38.0 xGF%). But that was an injury-riddled 23-game season and Manson has bounced back somewhat this season.
In 45 games with the Ducks in 2021-2022, Manson has contributed nine points (4 G, 5 A) with better possession numbers (51.4 CF%, 48.5 xGF%) while starting a greater percentage of his shifts in the defensive zone. His time on ice is up to 19:45 per game.
Manson’s isolated impact, per HockeyViz, does not paint a pretty picture but it may reflect his 2021 performance.
The favorable take on Manson is that the Ducks have fared better with Manson on the ice this season.
In Colorado, Manson should offer a steady defensive presence on a blueline with dynamic puck moving options. He offers the toughness that teams tend to seek out for the playoffs. Manson has averaged more than two hits per game for seven straight seasons and he has fought 23 times in his NHL career. He should easily play on the third pair on a Cup contender and might still be able to handle a top four role.
One area of concern when it comes to Manson’s play is his propensity to take penalties. Among the 183 defensemen that have played at least 500 5v5 minutes this season, Mason’s rate of net penalties (taken - drawn) per 60 minutes is sixth highest. Ian Cole, Niko Mikkola, Zdeno Chara, Nikita Zadorov, and Torey Krug are the only defenders with a higher net penalty rate.
Manson will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end and how he performs for the Avalanche could have a significant bearing on his next contract. There will likely be a healthy market for his services but if he plays well and the Avalanche go deep into the playoffs, that will boost Manson’s value in the marketplace.
The Ducks Get: D Drew Helleson and a second-round pick in 2023.
With the Ducks fading from playoff contention, they are starting to get some value in exchange for their veterans with expiring contracts. Josh Mahura is one defenseman that may see more playing time down the stretch for the Ducks.
Helleson is a 20-year-old right-shot defenseman who has played three seasons at Boston College. The 2019 second-round pick has 25 points (4 G, 21 A) in 32 games this season and played three games for Team USA at the Olympics. There is always the risk of a college player not signing and going to free agency but the Ducks might offer an appealing enough situation that Helleson considers joining the Ducks.
A second-round pick typically offers about a one-in-three chance of becoming an NHL player, though those odds dip a bit with the likelihood that the Avalanche pick, even a year from now, is likely to be later in the round.
The Ducks are retaining 50% of Manson’s $4.1 million salary cap hit, making the finances more palatable for an Avalanche team that does not have a ton of flexibility.
Verdict: This is a quality move for the Avalanche. Even if he is not as effective as he was during his best years with the Ducks, Manson should still offer a physical defensive presence in a complementary role. The price to get him is not cheap, but the Avalanche are playing to win this season so moving a quality prospect and a second-round pick to bring in an established NHL defenseman is a move worth making.