{"id":3285,"date":"2016-11-13T15:36:10","date_gmt":"2016-11-13T20:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=3285"},"modified":"2016-11-13T15:36:10","modified_gmt":"2016-11-13T20:36:10","slug":"josh-manson-best-defenseman-never-heard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/11\/13\/josh-manson-best-defenseman-never-heard\/","title":{"rendered":"Josh Manson: The Best Defenseman You’ve Never Heard of"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jake Muzzin<\/a><\/strong>, T.J. Brodie<\/a><\/strong>, Alfred. They\u2019re the oft underrated sidekicks to dazzling heroes, but there is another. One whose skill undoubtedly places him among the best defenders in the NHL, but mention his name to a casual fan, and even to the more fanatic followers of the NHL, and in return you\u2019re greeted with quizzical stares; eyes that gleam with a flicker of recognition before it\u2019s wisped away.\u00a0 Just who is this mystery defender? His name is Josh Manson<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Who is Josh Manson?<\/h2>\n

The 25-year-old Manson has just over 100 games of NHL experience, all with the Anaheim Ducks<\/strong>. His 22 career points are nothing to write home about but when you look at the raw Corsi leaders over the last two seasons, there he sits, quietly the fourth best defender, sandwiched between Hampus Lindholm<\/a><\/strong> and Victor Hedman<\/a><\/strong>. His defensive partner just above him, together they form the NHL\u2019s best kept secret.<\/p>\n

A product of Northeastern University, Manson is already one of their most prolific alumni, behind only Joe Vitale<\/a><\/strong>, Chris Nilan<\/a><\/strong>, and Dan McGillis<\/a><\/strong> in NHL games played. He spent brief parts of two seasons with the Ducks farm team, the Norfolk Admirals<\/strong>, accumulating 13 points in 45 games in the AHL.<\/p>\n

Never one to put up points, Manson\u2019s primary ability comes in his ability to drive play. This season, only Nick Ritchie<\/a><\/strong> has allowed fewer attempts against per 60 minutes (CA60) for the Ducks, but what\u2019s more impressive is the improvement in Cam Fowler<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s game. Last season Fowler averaged 57.91 CA60, the worst among Ducks players with at least 100 minutes played, this season he\u2019s down to 47.64 CA60, the fourth best on the team.<\/p>\n

For context, here\u2019s how dominant the Fowler-Manson pairing have been this season:<\/p>\n

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I’ve added their Corsi differential per 60 in brackets. Manson\/Fowler are in “dull” but with a ~+5 CD60). That’s impressive w\/ Fowler. pic.twitter.com\/QOoTuTjzaY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) November 13, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n