Denver, CO
Josh Manson’s Game 1 save another highlight in strong season for the Avalanche
DALLAS — Alexandar Georgiev has earned a lot of deserved praise for his mental toughness and resilience after a tough Game 1 to start the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Josh Manson knows that process of rebounding and redeeming himself as well. Manson made a pair of high-profile mistakes for the Avalanche in Game 1 against Winnipeg that led to Jets goals. Flash forward to Game 1 of this series against the Dallas Stars, and Manson made an incredible goal-saving play that turned out to be a huge moment in a 4-3 comeback victory.
“I mean, obviously after the first game in Winnipeg, it was tough. I was pretty down,” Manson said ahead of Game 2 here at American Airlines Center. “So I feel better now. The team winning too makes things easier.”
Dallas forged a 3-0 lead in the first period of Game 1. The Stars nearly made it 4-0 in the final minute. Jamie Benn cut to the net from the right corner with the puck, skated across the front of the crease and waited out Georgiev before sliding the puck past him.
Manson was there behind his goaltender. His touch of the puck popped it into the air, and then his second swatted it out of the air and out of danger.
“Once I saw him kind of get underneath, I figured he was going to try and take it wide. The only place that maybe he was gonna be able to beat him was to slide it back across, so I just kind of came up to the goal line just in case,” Manson said.
“I watched the video and I think it was going to miss the net anyway – if anything, maybe at the post. I was there just in case. I got lucky that I didn’t hit it in the net and hit it in the other direction.”
Maybe it would have gone wide, but had Benn’s shot hit the post there was still a chance it would have banked in off Georgiev or another Stars player would have had the opportunity to pounce. It was a huge play that loomed even larger as the Avalanche mounted a comeback over the final two periods before winning in overtime.
It’s a fun juxtaposition narrative: Manson goes from Game 1 goat in Winnipeg to Game 1 hero in Dallas. But the truth is Manson bounced back well before this. He had a great series against the Jets.
“We really liked his series,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “He was an impactful player on the defending side, the physicality he brings, and as you’ve seen throughout the season, he’s been making a lot of offensive plays, too.”
Colorado added Manson just ahead of the 2022 trade deadline in large part to give this talented defense corps another defense-first physical presence. But Manson has proven to be more than that, particularly this season.
He had some strong offensive years in his younger days with Anaheim, but his 2023-24 campaign (eight goals, 25 points) was his best in six years.
“I think I’m kind of a byproduct of the team for myself,” Manson said. “I’m not a guy that goes out there and just creates offense by himself. My game will thrive a bit more as the team finds success. That’s kind of how I like to look at myself.”
He noted that playing with so many high-end scorers can lead to more points for a player like him. But Manson is a defense-first player with underrated offensive skills. That makes him a great fit next to Samuel Girard, an offense-first player with underrated defensive acumen.
Together, they’re the second pairing on arguably the best defense corps in the NHL. While Cale Makar and Devon Toews deservedly get loads of credit as two of the best defensemen in the world, the Girard-Manson combo has thrived.
Bednar admitted that those two playing so well together made it easier to move Bo Byram in a trade that returned Casey Mittelstadt (along with a corresponding move to land Sean Walker as a Byram replacement).
Manson made a habit of collecting the puck at the right point and making a move to get around his defender this season.
He was second during the regular season among the team’s defensemen behind Makar with 86 scoring chances — more than Toews and Girard — and tops with 18 high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick. Manson has proven to be more than just a guy who’s going to let it rip from the point.
“I don’t know if I do that a lot,” Manson said. “I think it’s dependent on the game and even in situations like that, so much of it is created from guys like (Andrew Cogliano) controlling the cycle, forcing wingers to come down and beating them with that pass.
“… Our forwards are giving us time at the point to make plays and to have that confidence to do things because they’re making plays.”
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The Denver Broncos hosted eight tryout players at mandatory minicamp this week, including quarterback Sawyer Robertson. It sounds like the team has made decisions on those tryout players, and Robertson won’t be signed (at least not right now).
Instead, the Broncos are signing offensive lineman Reid Holskey (according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler) and cornerback Blake Cotton (according to the Denver Post‘s Parker Gabriel). Holskey (6-6, 306 pounds) spent time on the Houston Texans’ practice squad in 2025 before joining the New York Giants in January. He was cut by New York last month. Cotton (6-2, 195 pounds) is a rookie who spent last fall at Utah, totaling 30 tackles and seven pass breakups in 13 games.
The two moves came one day after Denver wrapped up minicamp. The 91-man offseason roster was already full, so the Broncos will need to make corresponding moves to make room for Holskey and Cotton on the roster.
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Sean Payton has seen enough. The Denver Broncos’ third practice of mandatory minicamp, which was set to happen on Thursday, has been canceled.
“Just schedule-wise, today will be our last day,” Payton said after Wednesday’s practice. “I just finished telling them that. It’s unusual because there’s a lot of packing, a little bit more than normal when you’re moving into another facility. So when we’re back here, we’ll be in the new building.”
The Broncos are moving into their new state-of-the-art facility, but the decision to cancel the final practice of the offseason was motivated primarily by what Payton has seen thus far and how the team is shaping up.
Thus concludes the Broncos’ offseason training program, which featured eight total practices as a team, four of which were open to the media. There was more on-field activity than that, including walkthrough practices unseen by the press, but in essence, we’re talking about eight sessions.
Some players have already begun to separate themselves in their respective competitions. Others have really popped, while some have failed to really stand out in any meaningful way.
By way of a Broncos stock report, let’s get to the biggest winners and losers of mandatory minicamp.
Winner: Bo Nix | QB
Nix finally returned to the practice field on Tuesday, the first day of minicamp. He was limited to individual drills only, but it was still great to see him out there.
On Day 2, though, Nix took another big step forward, participating in a 7-on-7 drill that included a highlight-reel touchdown pass to RJ Harvey. Just getting Nix back on the field was a big win for the Broncos, but seeing him progress over two days and look overall very sharp was more than a little encouraging.
Winner: Jaylen Waddle | WR
Waddle has been a lightning rod since the practices were opened to the media. He just looks different. That speed and explosiveness really add an element to the Broncos’ offense that has been lacking.
It’s been palpable. But arguably just as exciting is what Waddle’s teammates and coaches have been saying about him. Payton has called him a “force multiplier,” which is another way of saying that he makes everyone around him better.
Not that we really had reason to doubt it, but Waddle has been as advertised thus far, and then some.
Loser: Marvin Mims Jr. | WR
Mims is not listed as a loser because of any specific negative plays, like a dropped pass or a mental miscue. It’s just that, with other receivers, including Waddle, shining, generating buzz, and earning plaudits from Payton, Mims didn’t really.
Mims is a similar receiver type as Waddle, but the newcomer made it clear how much separation exists between them in practice. Now, Mims is still important to the Broncos, especially as a returner, and Payton did compliment his clutch gene and contributions in big games, but you have to wonder how he fits into the game plan on offense. That question still hasn’t been answered.
Winner: J.K. Dobbins | RB
Dobbins was his usually talkative self at minicamp, but the fact that he was healthy and out there doing his thing is a major win for the Broncos. It’s good to have him part of the daily process at Broncos HQ again because he’s one of those veterans that takes players under his wing, and elevates them.
Winner: Que Robinson | OLB
With the recent off-the-field drama the Broncos have dealt with, some extra attention was paid to the Broncos’ outside linebackers. Robinson, in particular, separated himself during minicamp.
His get-off is something else, and he was dispruptive during the Broncos’ team periods. Vance Joseph has said he views Robinson as a “future starter.” Pending Cooper’s situation, the future could be now, though Elliss will also have something to say about that.
Robinson had one heck of an offseason. I’m really looking forward to his second year.
Loser: Jonathon Cooper | OLB
After being arrested twice in the span of a week, the Broncos excused Cooper from mandatory minicamp. It would seem the Broncos want to create some distance from Cooper until his legal troubles are resolved, one way or another.
It’s a shame, in more ways than one. Beyond what legal ramifications might await Cooper, he’s very likely to be suspended by the NFL, and the Broncos releasing him at some point is not outside the bounds of the plausible. It’s a good thing that rush linebacker room is stacked.
Winner: Matt Henningsen | DL
None of these winners has been quite as surprising as Henningsen. He made a huge play on Day 1 of minicamp, tipping a Sam Ehlinger pass and returning it to the house.
Henningsen followed that up with another disruptive Day 2. He’s gone from being an after thought in the Broncos’ defensive line conversation to establishing himself as a bona fide threat for the roster.
Loser: Jahdae Barron | CB
Like Mims, Barron wasn’t bad during the offseason; he just didn’t pop, really, in any way. He broke up one pass on Day 2 of minicamp, but beyond that, there wasn’t much to see.
It will be interesting to see how Barron performs in training camp. We know the Broncos have high expectations for him, and a role on defense, even if as a depth piece, will be created for him, but I was hoping to see more signs of a Year-2 leap by now.
Winner: Jonah Coleman | RB
Another as-advertised player. Coleman has proven he’s ready for the NFL, which was partly what attracted the Broncos to him in the draft.
Coleman stood out in a major way at minicamp and made it clear that the Broncos have more than just a J.K. Dobbins insurance policy on their hands. Coleman is a force to be reckoned with.
Winner: Tyler Onyedim | DL
Like Coleman the Broncos’ first pick in the 2026 draft has looked NFL-ready. The Broncos still haven’t signed Onyedim, but that didn’t stop him from participating in the offseason program, which is a good harbinger.
Rocking the No. 98 jersey, it’s easy to mistake Onyedim for the guy he was drafted to replace: John Franklin-Myers. That’s especially true when the rookie is out there making plays like JFM. Onyedim has earned praise from his teammates, including the All-Pro Zach Allen.
Winner: Evan Engram | TE
Engram looked very good in minicamp this week. He looked like a big, athletic, smooth, explosive receiver, which is what he’s been in the NFL.
Engram wasn’t really all those things in his first year with the Broncos, but I’m hopeful that Year 2 will be different for the two-time Pro Bowler. He’s had a good summer.
Winner: Troy Franklin | WR
Franklin seems like the obvious No. 3 receiver in the pecking order. That doesn’t mean he’ll get the No. 3 snaps on an exclusive basis, though.
As the Broncos’ No. 2 last year, Franklin wasn’t able to fully live up to that, although he took some big steps forward in his second year. As the No. 3, it’s more his natural spot and that should allow him to continue to thrive in the offense, especially with the connection he has with Bo Nix dating back to Oregon.
Winner: Sam Ehlinger | QB
Ehlinger had a great offseason. He looked way more comfortable and far sharper in the offense in what is his second go-around in Payton’s offense.
Ehlinger was sharp this summer, and if he can continue to build on the foundation he’s created, it could create some uncomfortable conversations at Broncos HQ.
Loser: Jarrett Stidham | QB
Stidham has been less noteworthy this summer, but that doesn’t mean he’s been bad. In comparison to Ehlinger, though, Stidham wasn’t as good, which is curious, considering his standing as the team’s primary backup since 2023.
If Ehlinger ends up leapfrogging Stidham, what do the Broncos do? They’re holding a competition for QB2, and they have to be prepared for the possibility of Ehlinger winning it, especially after his strong summer.
If Ehlinger forces this issue, Stidham could become expendable. Stidham is very unlikely to be a cut candidate because of his contract, but as a trade piece? There’s a reason the rumor mill has been active on the Stidham topic this offseason. It’s something to watch.
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The Mecca Sports Bar in Denver will be allowed to continue operations after it reached a settlement agreement with the city. According to the Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, the business will be required to pay a $5,000 fine and have employees complete specialized training.
The bar had been under investigation for prostitution since 2024.
According to the Denver Police Department, there were two arrests for prostitution as a result of the investigation into the bar, in addition to a merchant guard license violation for failure to comply.
According to the city’s licensing department, the business will be under a probationary period, where if there are any other violations of law or rules and regulations, it could face harsher penalties, including license suspension or revocation.
Denver police investigators said they conducted three undercover prostitution stings at the bar. In every operation, officers said they were offered sex for money and told about a scheme where the women would overcharge for alcohol and keep the extra cash.
Mecca Sports Bar is located off West Mississippi Avenue and Federal Boulevard near Huston Lake Park and was formerly known as Club Dubai.
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