Follow me on Twitter: @BenShelley_20 Follow HockeyBuzz Ducks on Twitter: @HB_Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks traded defenseman Josh Manson to the Colorado Avalanche last week, in exchange for a 2022 second-round pick and prospect Drew Helleson.
Manson is 30 years old and was a top-four defenseman for the Ducks, playing in 45 games with the team this season and 453 games with Anaheim over his career. He was on an expiring contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
It's been a pleasure, @JoshManson42. pic.twitter.com/8hlAPd7pGk
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 15, 2022
As for the return, it was fair. I compare it a bit to the Alec Martinez trade to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020, where the Los Angeles Kings got two second-round picks back. Both Manson and Martinez were veteran defenders with limited term remaining and instead of two second-round picks for Manson, the Ducks get a second-round pick and a prospect who was already taken in the second round.
Helleson is just 20 years old and has posted solid numbers at Boston College. He’s making the transition to the AHL and that’ll be a good test to see where he’s at.
Even if the Ducks almost surely would’ve gotten more for Manson a few years ago, I was a bit worried they wouldn't get as much as they did and overall, it’s still a solid return for Anaheim. The trade was a good first step in acquiring future assets at the deadline and while Manson will be missed on the blue line, it was certainly the right move.
***NOTE: We've launched a HockeyBuzz Ducks Twitter account! For anyone interested, you can follow @HB_Ducks for updates on articles, Ducks news, etc.***
Quiz Maker OTHER ARTICLES FROM MARCH
Ducks defeat Bruins with late goal from Trevor Zegras Ducks fall short against Golden Knights Ducks face crucial decisions with pending UFAs ahead of trade deadline Ducks pick up overtime win against Sharks Ducks claim Andrej Sustr off waivers from Lightning Ducks allow five goals in first period, suffer blowout loss against Chicago Ducks fall 4-1 to Predators Ducks come up short against Devils, lose in shootout Ducks stay winless on road trip with loss to Islanders Ducks trade Josh Manson to Avalanche Ducks sign Drew Helleson Ducks shut out by Panthers at home following winless five-game road trip Ducks trade Hampus Lindholm to Bruins, send Nicolas Deslauriers to Wild Ducks claim Gerry Mayhew off waivers from Flyers Ducks trade Rickard Rakell to Penguins, acquire Evgenii Dadonov from Vegas