The Avalanche on Monday acquired defenseman Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks for prospect Drew Helleson and a 2023 second-round draft pick.
Manson, 30, is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $4.1 million cap hit, but Anaheim retains half of that so he only counts for $2,050,000 against Colorado’s cap. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound shutdown defenseman was a three-year alternate captain for the Ducks. He might be a depth acquisition at a time defenseman Sam Girard is out with a back injury and the uncertainly surrounding rookie defenseman Bo Byram and his previous head injuries.
Manson, a primary penalty killer, ranks third on the Ducks in hits (116).