Ducks activate Josh Manson, place Sam Steel on IR

The Anaheim Ducks announced that they activated defenseman Josh Manson off of injured reserve. In a corresponding move, they placed forward Sam Steel on injured reserve. Manson will immediately draw back into the lineup as the Ducks play Saturday at the New Jersey Devils.

Getting Manson back in the lineup is an important step for the Ducks, which are openly interested in either re-signing or trading the defenseman at the trade deadline. While an injured Manson is certainly not a barrier to an extension, getting him healthy and playing again allows the Ducks to show that he is fully healthy and ready to help another team, as well as an opportunity to showcase his talent once more before the deadline. The free-agent-to-be currently has seven points in 43 games for the Ducks while averaging 19:44 time on ice per game.

As for Steel, this will be his first stint on IR of the season. The 24-year-old forward is in the middle of what appears to be the best season of his career, totaling 17 points in 51 games, however this injury will force him to hold off on his development for a little while.