Avalanche sign D Josh Manson to two-year, $7.9M extension

Josh Manson will remain with the Colorado Avalanche.

The Colorado Avalanche announced Thursday they have signed defenseman Josh Manson to a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2027-28 season.

The extension is reportedly worth a total of $7.9 million, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $3.95 million.

Manson`s availability was limited last season due to injury, as he appeared in only 48 games. He recorded 15 points (one goal, 14 assists) while averaging 18:02 of ice time. His assist total and average time on ice were both fourth-highest among Avalanche defensemen.

The 33-year-old defenseman also played in all seven of Colorado`s playoff games last season, tallying three points, including goals in the team`s final two contests.

Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland commented on the signing: “Josh has been an important member of our blue line since joining the team during the 2022 stretch run. He is a steady and tough defender who chips in on the offensive side at key times. He is also a veteran leader in our dressing room, and we are excited to have him signed for this extension.”

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound defenseman was a key part of the Avalanche team that won the Stanley Cup in 2022. During that playoff run, he achieved career highs with three goals and eight points, including scoring the overtime winner in Game 1 of Colorado`s second-round series against St. Louis on May 17. Manson was originally acquired by the Avalanche before the 2022 trade deadline and signed a four-year contract extension in the subsequent off-season.

Since debuting with the Avalanche in March 2022, Manson has accumulated 57 points (13 goals, 44 assists) over 173 regular-season games.

He was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the sixth round (160th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Before joining Colorado, Manson spent his entire career with the Ducks organization. He ranks fifth among Anaheim defensemen all-time in games played (453) and third in plus-minus (+39). His 87 assists and 113 points rank ninth among Ducks blueliners. Manson also holds the Ducks` franchise record for hits by a defenseman (1,083) and is second among all Ducks skaters, trailing only Ryan Getzlaf (1,980).