Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was placed on injured reserve, according to NHL’s media site on Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
Colorado is carrying 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies, with center Evan Rodrigues and defenseman Bowen Byram hurt but not on IR.
Manson was listed as week to week with a lower-body injury, coach Jared Bednar said, and the defenseman missed the final period against Buffalo on Thursday.
Manson, 31, has scored two goals and notched four assists in 21 games for Colorado through the 2022-23 season.
Backstory
The Avs acquired Manson from the Anaheim Ducks in March, with Anaheim receiving defensive prospect Drew Helleson and a 2023 second-round draft pick.
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Manson had four goals and nine points in his eighth NHL season with the Ducks. He carried a $4.1 million cap hit, with the Ducks retaining 50 percent of it, The Athletic previously reported.
How will Colorado adjust without Manson?
The Avalanche called up Andreas Englund in light of the Manson injury. Cale Makar and Devon Toews will continue to carry the bulk of the load for Colorado’s defense, and Erik Johnson could see more responsibility. Englund will likely have to help kill penalties with Manson, a key penalty killer, out.
The injury is another on the long list of them for Colorado. Rodrigues, Byram, Gabriel Landeskog, Darren Helm, Valeri Nichushkin, Shane Bowers and Kurtis MacDermid are already out. Manson is a big-bodied defenseman who is known for his defensive presence and physicality and can chip in offensively. The Avalanche will have to continue plugging holes as they have been in recent weeks. — Baugh
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(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)