Avalanche’s Josh Manson Suffers Lower-Body Injury

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson left yesterday’s 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury. After the game, head coach Jared Bednar told the media (including Bailey Curtis of DNVR Sports) that Manson is “going to miss some time” recovering from the injury. His full recovery timeline is still being determined.

Manson’s injury opens up a hole on Colorado’s third pairing, as well as in its penalty-kill rotation, that will need to be filled. Against the Devils Manson was paired with veteran Brent Burns on the team’s bottom pairing. A right-shot blueliner, Manson lined up on his off-hand for the game.

So far this year, Manson has taken on a significantly smaller role with the team compared to the role he typically occupies.

In terms of ice time, he’s been the club’s No. 6 defenseman this season, averaging just 14:58 time on ice per game, including 1:37 per game on the penalty kill. In four seasons before this one, Manson averaged just under 18 minutes per game.

Because Manson’s ice time has declined noticeably, he’s a far more manageable player for the team to replace than he might have been in years past. Colorado’s No. 7 defenseman is Noah Juulsen, and he’s likely to get the first crack at filling Manson’s role while the veteran is sidelined.

But Juulsen is, like Burns and Manson, a right shot. Unlike Manson, he doesn’t have extensive experience playing from the left side. As a result, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Colorado decided to recall one of their left-handed blueliners from the AHL.

A top call-up option could be Domenick Fensore. Fensore is an undersized offensive defenseman who is, in many ways, comparable to Jack Ahcan, a since-departed Avalanche depth defenseman who earned numerous call-ups during his tenure with the team. Other call-up options include prospect Sean Behrens, who is waiting on the chance to make his NHL debut, and veterans Keaton Middleton or Christian Wolanin.