In the 2024 offseason, the Colorado Avalanche may try to make one major acquisition, which might involve a surprise deal.
It’s always entertaining to guess or project a fairly talented player who might wind up playing for a different team in an attempt to improve upon a squad that was close to winning their conference but fell short. Goalie Alexandar Georgiev would be the best player to move for the Colorado Avalanche in this scenario, but it would be too sensible to include him in a piece about impromptu swaps.
Instead, we’re talking about a player who doesn’t seem to be making any appearances in the rumor mill but who could provide the Avalanche and another team a win-win situation. Paradoxically, a defenseman and a player who consistently appears to play a physical game and be adept at blocking shots would be involved in an odd but plausible trade in this scenario.
Josh Manson is that guy, but not because general manager Chris MacFarland’should trade’ him, or even because he’s not a good fit for the Avalanche. Rather, he is the team’s oldest blue liner who is not a free agent, and the Avalanche can afford to lose him if they decide to re-sign Sean Walker, the defenseman they traded for a few months ago.
A surprise deal for the Colorado Avalanche might be very beneficial.
Walker is currently a more useful player than Manson since he is two years younger. The Philadelphia Flyers, who he played 63 games with this past season, are among the few teams that managed to stay in the postseason race for as long as they did.
Manson’s trade would not only free up more cap space to help bring back a more fascinating defenseman, but it would also make Manson’s replacement easier in free agency due to an ample class of blueliners entering the free agent market.
We’re not talking about pricey substitutes, but rather affordable ones who had strong seasons as well. The Avalanche would be a stronger club if Walker came back, Manson was transferred somewhere with good pay in exchange, and there was a less expensive defenseman who could perform the same duties as Manson.
Since there are no credible rumors circulating regarding a Manson trade, let’s not expect the Avs to deal Manson. Moving someone like Manson would make a ton of sense, though, if the Avs were to make an unexpected deal.
