The Colorado Avalanche made a major move ahead of the March 21 NHL trade deadline, acquiring Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson on Monday in exchange for unsigned prospect Drew Helleson and a 2023 second-round draft pick. Anaheim retained 50% of Manson’s $4.1 million cap hit in the transaction, and he is poised to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
How did both teams do in the swap? We grade the GMs here:
The Josh Manson trade isn’t something that clinches a Stanley Cup for Colorado … but it’s one of those moves that an eventual champion looks back on wistfully during their parade.
On the ice, Mason addresses a huge deficiency in Colorado’s game last postseason, which was quality defensive play in its own zone. The 30-year-old defenseman is a physical presence, and he’s especially adept preventing offensive opportunities on uncontrolled zone entries at 5-on-5. Think back the Avs’ loss to the Vegas Golden Knights last postseason, and the way the Knights’ pressure forced…
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