Anthony Mantha leaves Penguins to sign with division rival

Anthony Mantha. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Anthony Mantha leaves Penguins to sign with division rival

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 15, 2026 3:24 PM ET

As expected, the Pittsburgh Penguins have lost their leading goal scorer, as Anthony Mantha agreed to a deal with the their Metropolitan division rival New Jersey Devils.

Mantha signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Devils that has an average annual salary of $4.75 million.

This move now weakens one of the league's top offenses while strengthening a team left on the outside looking in at the playoffs several months ago.

Anthony Mantha put up career-best numbers with the Penguins

The 31-year-old Mantha hit unrestricted free agency after enjoying a career-best season in 2025-26. He scored a team-high 33 goals and added 31 assists for 64 points in 81 games of his first and only season in Pittsburgh.

Prior to signing with the Penguins for one year last July, Mantha had only reached 20 goals four times in the previous 10 years. He never exceeded 25 goals, a mark he only recorded once in 2018-19, and also never registered 50 points in a season.

Anthony Mantha has signed a two-year contract with the @NJDevils!

Read more on what Mantha brings to the Devils lineup ⤵️ https://t.co/4zMh0PNz48
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) July 15, 2026

It's up to Anthony Mantha to prove his 2025-26 season wasn't a fluke

Mantha now needs to prove his elevated production wasn't just the result of playing next to Sidney Crosby.

Drafted with the 20th overall pick in 2013, Mantha spent his first six years with the Detroit Red Wings before a midseason 2020-21 trade to the Washington Capitals. He was then subsequently sent to the Vegas Golden Knights in March of 2024, but would leave after the spring to sign with the Calgary Flames.

Mantha used his time with the Penguins to boost his value and now Pittsburgh fans have to hope they aren't forced to watch him continue lighting the lamp with the Devils.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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