After a trade deadline deal led to a Stanley Cup, defenseman Josh Manson and the Colorado Avalanche have decided to continue the partnership. ESPN has confirmed multiple reports that he gets a four-year deal with an average annual value of $4.5 million.
"Josh was a huge addition to our back end down the stretch and into the playoffs," Avs general manager Chris MacFarland said in a statement. "He played big minutes on our second pairing throughout the postseason, providing a tough, steady presence in the defensive zone while also contributing on the offensive end with some key goals. Getting him under contract for the next four years helps further solidify our blue line."
Manson fit in nicely with the champions, showing versatility and an ability to adjust on the fly as coach Jared Bednar moved his new defenseman around several pairings because of injuries elsewhere.
After the Anaheim Ducks shipped him to Colorado, Manson ended the regular season with two goals and seven points in 22 games for the Avalanche, averaging 17:24 of icetime. In the postseason, his role ramped up, and he found himself playing the tougher minutes, especially when Colorado was protecting late leads. He played in all 20 postseason games for the Avalanche, finishing with three goals and eight points.
Manson, a 2011 sixth-round selection of the Ducks, has withstood the test of time in the NHL and has proved he can patrol the blueline in all situations.