He Keeps Getting Better
20017-18 proved to be Manson’s best season yet. This is an impressive feat, especially considering that he was Anaheim Ducks 6th round draft pick (160th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Of course, it’s not impossible for a 6th round draft selection to make a name for himself in the NHL. However, this makes more sense if you take a look at the 2011 draft as a whole.
From the 2011 6th round, there are only twelve players, out of thirty to play an NHL game. Of those twelve, there are only two who have played more than 100 games. If you do the math, that means that Josh Manson statistically only had about a 6.7% chance of excelling in the NHL. He has beaten the odds, and that is phenomenal.
What has led to his success with the Ducks has been his consistency. When he is out on the ice, he pushes himself to new lengths. He is never content just “staying the same.” He makes opportunities for himself, and he isn’t afraid of a challenge. This past season, his role as one of the only healthy defensemen on the blueline definitely played in his favor. Playing in 80 regular season games aided him in surpassing his old stats and snatching up new career high’s.
Josh Manson posted new career highs in goals, game-winning goals, assists, and points. During 2017-18 he scored seven goals, two of which were game-winners, and added 30 helpers. His point total stands at 37. That is 20 points more than the 17 points (5g, 12a) he had the previous season.
Manson also had a career-high plus/minus of +34. We will focus a lot more on that number in a minute. There is also reason to believe that he was more confident with the puck this season as well. The number of shot attempts he made increased from 181 in 2016-17 to 223.