Josh Manson’s ankle injury has opened the door for Noah Juulsen, and the Avalanche are about to get a longer look at exactly what he brings.
Manson is expected to miss approximately eight weeks, giving Juulsen a real chance to move from extra defenseman to something more permanent on Colorado’s blue line. He has already suited up in eight games this season, but this stretch could be the one that helps him carve out a steadier role.
The appeal with Juulsen is pretty clear. He isn’t just a skater, and he isn’t just a hitter. He gives Colorado a mix the team has been searching for in its depth defensemen: physicality, mobility, and enough defensive trust to stay on the ice without forcing the rest of his game to disappear.
That kind of balance has not always been easy to find in Colorado’s seventh defenseman.
Over the last couple of seasons, the Avalanche have cycled through different looks on the back end. Some options could skate.
Some could move the puck. Others brought size.
But none of those previous choices quite checked all the boxes at once. Solovyov had trouble finding a fit in Colorado’s system.
Ahcan could really skate, though his smaller frame made some matchups tougher. Blankenburg brought puck-moving ability, but his defensive-zone decisions could be inconsistent.
Middleton had size, yet the foot speed wasn’t always there for Colorado’s preferred style.
Juulsen gives them a different blend.
The 29-year-old signed a two-year, $2.2 million contract with the Avalanche this summer after spending last season with the Philadelphia Flyers. In 52 games, he posted one goal and nine assists, and he arrived in Colorado with a reputation as a dependable depth defenseman.
What stands out is how he fits the job. He can handle bigger opponents, he can keep up with the pace, and he doesn’t have to back away from contact to do it. He’s the kind of player who can defend in his own zone and still make a contribution at the other end when the chance is there.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has liked what he’s seen so far. After Saturday’s morning skate, he pointed to Juulsen’s work in suppressing chances and adding offense when available.
"His focus is chance, shot suppression, and chipping in wherever he can on the offensive side of it. He's done a great job of that so far this year," he stated following Saturday's morning skate. "I expect him to kind of pick up where he's left off and continue to help us try and win."
Juulsen’s ice time tells part of the story too. He’s averaging 10:38 per game, which is the lowest mark of his NHL career. Even in that limited role, Bednar has valued having a defenseman who stays plugged into the group every day.
"He's been a really good fit for us. It's nice having the 7D.
We've seen we've needed him already this year," Bednar continued. "It's good to have a guy that's around, has the feel for the team on an everyday basis, he's in all the meetings without having to call a guy up all the time when you need a seventh."
That kind of reliability matters, especially for a player who has spent much of the season as the extra man. Juulsen has stayed ready, stayed involved, and kept his place within the team even when his minutes were modest. He’s also known for bringing energy into the room, another trait that doesn’t show up in the box score but still has value over the course of a season.
Now the opportunity is bigger. Manson’s absence won’t be easy to absorb, and Juulsen isn’t being asked to copy everything the veteran does. But Colorado does need someone who can defend, skate, play with an edge, and be trusted when called upon.
Juulsen has already shown he can do that. The next eight weeks will tell the Avalanche a lot more.
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