The Colorado Avalanche’s success this season isn’t the result of one or two players having a great season. It’s the cumulative effect of just about everyone on the team playing at or above their career averages.
But one player in particular has stood out this season on the blue line. And it’s not Cale Makar. That player would be Josh Manson. Manson, at 34, is having a resurgent season. Offensively, he’s notched two goals and 12 points in 34 games. But it’s been his physical play that’s got him back among the league’s best shutdown defensemen.
That’s something the Avalanche need to compete for the Stanley Cup this season. The 6’3”, 220-pound rearguard has been throwing his weight around like in years past. That’s provided a physical edge that Colorado didn’t really have in previous seasons.
Yes, Nathan MacKinnon plays like a semi without blown brakes, and trying to stop Valeri Nichushkin is like trying to halt a stampede, but it’s been Manson’s physicality that’s given the Avalanche a much-needed dimension.
That situation prompted notable NHL insider Elliotte Friedman to write this about Manson in his latest 32 Thoughts blog:
“You know who looks rejuvenated? Josh Manson. Every night I watch, he’s manhandling someone.”
He’s right. Manson has been the proverbial immovable object, meeting opponents across the ice this season. Entering Saturday night’s action, the Avalanche ranked 29th in the league with 557 hits dished out, according to MoneyPuck. Manson, he has 88 of those. That accounts for 15.8% of the hits delivered this season.
Manson leads the team, with Ross Colton and Parker Kelly rounding out the top three with 82 and 72 hits, respectively. After that, there’s a big gap. Captain Gabe Landeskog is fourth with 49.
The numbers don’t lie. Josh Manson has been the big kid patrolling the schoolyard for bullies this season. As we saw in the Avalanche’s last game against Winnipeg, he’s not afraid to chuck knucks.
The Avalanche are lucky to have a healthy and productive Josh Manson this season. If there was ever a great Christmas gift for the club, it’s Manson's wanton spread of physicality and presence.