- Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson is expected to miss about eight weeks with an ankle injury
- Jared Bednar gave the timeline Friday, two days after Manson was hurt against the Devils
- Read below for who steps in on Colorado’s blue line
Josh Manson is going to be out for about two months.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Friday that the defenseman is expected to miss eight weeks with an ankle injury. Jesse Montano relayed the timeline from Bednar’s media availability:
Manson got hurt Wednesday in a 5-2 win over the Devils. He fell awkwardly after a missed body check in the first period, needed help getting off the ice and never came back. Bednar only said he would “miss some time” after the game, which we covered in our first look at the injury.
Eight weeks from now lands right around the holiday break. Manson has four points in 13 games this season and leads Colorado in hits with 28. He is also third on the team in blocked shots with 17.
Brett Kulak talked about what the team loses without his defense partner.
“It’s a kind of irreplaceable loss,” Kulak said. “The leadership, the physicality, that experience, it’s not easy to replace.”
Noah Juulsen is the next man up. He has one assist in eight games and averages 10:38 a night, and Bednar was happy to talk about him.
“I love his attitude. He wants to do anything he can to help,” Bednar said. “He’s a real positive guy, and he’s played great for us.”
Juulsen spoke Thursday about stepping into a bigger role. Take a look at what he said:
Colorado is 7-5-1 and hosts the Flames on Saturday night. Juulsen should draw in, and the Avalanche have a few defensemen in the AHL with NHL experience if they need another body.
