Avs give Josh Manson a contract extension, likely won’t be traded

The Colorado Avalanche are keeping Josh Manson around for this season and beyond.

The team announced a two-year contract extension for the veteran defenseman on Thursday, locking him in through the 2027-28 season.

Two more seasons for the Manimal‼️

We've signed Josh Manson to a two-year contract extension through the 2027-28 season. pic.twitter.com/oHJVPKRGX0

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 10, 2025

Manson’s name had come up in some trade rumors this offseason, as he’s due $4.5 million for 2025-26. And after playing only 48 games last year, a potential move might have made since. Instead, Avs GM Chris MacFarland is going in the other direction, inking Josh Manson to stay in Colorado for years to come.

“Josh has been an important member of our blue line since joining the team during the 2022 stretch run,” MacFarland said in a release from the team. “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 under contract for another three seasons.”

The Avalanche acquired Manson in March of 2022, one of several trades then-GM Joe Sakic made that helped the franchise hoist its third Stanley Cup about 3.5 months later.

In 173 career games with the Avalanche, Josh Manson has 13 goals and 44 assists, good for 57 points. Injuries have been a problem, though, as he played in only 27 games the year after the team won the championship. Manson rebounded to skate in 76 contests during the 2023-24 season, then the aforementioned 48 games last year.

MacFarland also added veteran defenseman Brent Burns in free agency, plus got Sam Malinski a new contract, so his plan on the back-end behind Cale Makar and Devon Toews is starting to become clear.

The new extension for Josh Manson is reportedly worth $3.95 million per season, which is a slight decrease from his current deal.

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