There was speculation Josh Manson might go back to the Anaheim Ducks but he ultimately stays with the Colorado Avalanche. Manson signed a four-year contract extension at a reported cost of $4.5 million per season. The Avs also signed Darren Helm to a one-year extension, both players just minutes before the free agency period opened on Wednesday.
Manson played in 67 games between Anaheim and Colorado this past season. He was acquired ahead of the NHL Trade deadline and was a huge factor in the Avs playoff succcess. He picked up six goals and ten assists during his run with the Avalanche and is absolutely worth the $4.5 million he’ll be getting on this new deal. As per JFresh, “He is a physical defenceman whose aggressiveness makes him one of the best zone entry deniers in hockey, but also lands him in the penalty box extremely often.”
Colorado now has less than $6 million in cap space to conduct other business today. If they plan to stay in the hunt to sign Nazem Kadri, they are going to have to clear cap space first. The good news is that this signing keeps the Avs blue line completely in tact from last season.
The Avalanche have also signed Darren Helm to a one-year extension with an AAV of $1.25 million. Helm, 35, spent years with the Detroit Red Wings before joining the Colorado Avalanche last summer. He had 15 points in 68 regular season games, and added five points run in 20 playoff games.
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