Devils make hugely disappointing Anthony Mantha injury move

Anthony Mantha signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the New Jersey Devils this offseason, and he’s off to a terrific start with five goals and 10 points in 17 games with his new team.

But the Devils will be without Mantha for an extended stretch after placing him on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, retroactive to Nov. 7.

Mantha took a high stick to the throat from New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech during a 5-4 overtime victory on Nov. 7. He returned to Newark for further medical evaluation.

It’s a disappointing update considering Mantha had been one of the team’s most productive forwards of late, recording five points in his last four games before the injury. He’s put up 10 points this season while averaging just 13:28 of ice time.

With an extended absence ahead, New Jersey recalled forwards Lenni Hämeenaho and Stefan Noesen from the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets. Riley Tufte was loaned back to Utica.

Mantha’s absence breaks up the third line he shared with Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist. Arseny Gritsyuk has joined Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes on New Jersey’s top line and is up to 14 points in 19 games this season.

Noesen has appeared in five games for the Devils this year, chipping in three points. He’s also been productive in the AHL, amassing six points in seven games.

The 33-year-old was great in his first year back in Newark in 2024-25, recording 41 points and 152 hits in 78 games.

As for Hämeenaho, the 22-year-old leads Utica in scoring with six goals and nine points in 11 games and is looking to make his first NHL appearance of the season. He notched eight points in 33 games as a rookie.

Things will get more challenging without Mantha, but the Devils have been on a tear, winning nine of their last 11 games to improve to 13-6-0.

That has them in second place in the Metropolitan Division, behind only the Carolina Hurricanes (14-3-2). They’re back in action against the visiting Washington Capitals on Thursday night, with puck drop set for just past 7 p.m. ET at the Prudential Center.