Avalanche’s Josh Manson fined for butt-ending Wild’s Michael McCarron

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson has been fined $5,000 for butt-ending Minnesota Wild forward Michael McCarron during Monday’s playoff game at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minn.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the fine on Tuesday afternoon, along with the stipulation that it is for the maximum amount allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Manson, 34, was assessed a double-minor penalty for butt-ending on the play, which occurred at the 7:07 mark of the first period on Monday. However, he was not ejected from the game, much to McCarron’s chagrin.

The Avalanche won Monday’s game by a 5-2 final score, with Parker Kelly scoring the deciding goal midway through the third period. Colorado now leads the semifinal series three games to one, with a chance to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Final on home ice in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Manson finished Monday’s game with 14:39 of ice time and a minus-1 rating, along with two shots on goal and one recorded hit. Five different Avalanche players scored goals in the game: Kelly, Ross Colton, Nazem Kadri, Nathan MacKinnon, and Brock Nelson.

The Avalanche originally acquired Manson from the Anaheim Ducks late in the 2021-22 season, and he skated in all 20 playoff games with his new club that spring during their successful run to a Stanley Cup championship.

Manson has remained in Colorado ever since and collected five goals and 31 points in 79 games with the club during the 2025-26 regular season, prompting the Avs to sign him to a two-year, $3.95 million-AAV contract extension.

Through 705 career NHL games over parts of 12 seasons split between the Ducks and Avalanche, Manson has collected 44 goals and 201 points. The 6’3″ right-shot defender has added seven goals and 23 points in 69 playoff contests.