The Colorado Avalanche and Joe Sakic are serious about winning this season.

Colorado acquired tough and rugged defenseman Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks on Monday for defenseman prospect Drew Helleson and a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Manson (30) is in the final season of a four-year, $16.4 million contract and will be a UFA this summer.

The addition of Manson gives Colorado an elite D-corps and adds some much-needed grit and grizzle to the backend. Recently teams have been able to use size and physical play to eliminate space and time for the 'Avs to work their magic.

Sakic recognized that his team needed another physical dimension and bringing in Manson addresses that perfectly.

Colorado (42-13-5), is fresh from a 3-0 win against the Pacific leading Calgary Flames this past weekend. They are clearly the class of the West. This move assures that it stays that way. This is a move that makes championships happen. I love it.

To make this deal happen the Ducks had to eat half of Manson's salary. Colorado only has about $1.5 million in cap space heading into the NHL Trade Deadline that is less than a week away.

But with Gabriel Landeskog (Knee Surgery) and Sam Girard (lower body), both out with injuries the LTIR cap relief is still in play. We shall see.

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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