Yesterday, Josh Manson was acquired by the Colorado Avalanche from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2023 second round pick and 2019 second round pick defender Drew Helleson. Anaheim also retained half the money for Manson in the deal. This is the first major swap in March, ahead of the Trade Deadline on the 31st.
Some of the chatter surrounding the trade has been the interest in 2023 draft picks over 2022 picks by the bottom-feeder teams. Whether it’s because of recent interrupted seasons, including World Junior tournaments, or a looming uncertainty over whether Russian prospects will even be worth drafting if they can’t gain a visa due to the invasion of Ukraine, there’s a lot more certainty and time for things to play out in the next year rather than the next three months.