As the trades start to ramp up heading into the NHL Trade Deadline, the defending Stanley Cup Champions are bolstering their forward group.
The Vegas Golden Knights made a trade with the Washington Capitals to acquire Anthony Mantha. The Capitals received a 2024 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-rounder.
The nice part of the deal for Vegas is that the Capitals retained half of Mantha’s $5.7 million cap hit that the 29-year-old’s four-year contract, which he originally signed with the Detroit Red Wings, expires at the end of this season.
After a couple of injury-plagued seasons, Mantha has found the touch that led to a couple of near-50-point seasons with the Red Wings earlier in his career. In 56 games with the Capitals this season, the former Val-d’Or Foreurs star has scored 20 goals and 14 assists.
On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli offers his thoughts on the deal that sends Mantha to Sin City.
Frank Seravalli: The scouting reports have been really mixed on Mantha…not a huge fan of his game. Feels like the inconsistency and the lack of compete and work ethic at times absolutely drives people crazy. One general manager said to me in the last number of weeks that they felt like Anthony Mantha was just as likely be a healthy scratch in the playoffs as he would be an impact player. Might be harsh, but it goes to show you how polarizing the view is.
I’m certainly not going to be against the Golden Knights who have made a lot of really smart acquisitions over the last number of years. Sometimes it doesn’t always work, but they had the golden touch last year.
Tyler Yaremchuk: The Vegas Golden Knights aren’t done. They got each of their first-round picks for the next three years, they’re second-rounder next year, they’re third-rounder this year…they have enough picks if they want to make another add.
You can watch the entire segment, and full episode here…
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