Devils Sign Anthony Mantha to 2-Year Deal

Mantha was drafted 20th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 2013, and the Quebec native has carved out an 11-year career. He made the show with the Red Wings in the 2015-16 season, but he’s made stops with the Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

He spent three seasons in Washington after a midseason trade by the Red Wings. At the 2024 Trade Deadline, they dealt him to the Golden Knights. The Golden Knights didn’t retain him over the offseason, so he signed a one-year, prove-it deal in Calgary, but he suffered an injury just 13 games in, leaving the door open for him to sign in Pittsburgh.

Mantha Broke Out Offensively

Throughout the years, Mantha has always been a grinder forward with solid offensive pop and injury problems. He has averaged around 23 goals and 25 assists per 82 games played, but he’s played over 80 games just once in his NHL career, which came in his third season. Overall, he played just 507 games in 10 seasons before joining the Penguins. Injuries like a fractured right tibia and an ACL tear have diminished his impact over the years.

However, his time in Pittsburgh saw a form we’ve never seen from him before. In 81 games, he posted 33 goals and 31 assists. He stayed healthy for most of the season, and he was rewarded with a career-high in goals and points. His impact helped the Penguins make the Stanley Cup Playoff.

There is an asterisk to his great season. He had a 21.7% shooting percentage (SPCT) last season. However, in each of the past three seasons, Mantha owned an over 20% SPCT. Still, it’s fair to worry about regression, especially since his expected goals, according to MoneyPuck, were just at 18.3 last season.

Devils Get Much-Needed Offensive Grit

Still, the Devils get some much-needed offensive grit in the middle six. Mantha did most of his damage on the third line with rookie Benjamin Kindel and breakout Justin Brazeau, so on the third line of the Devils, he could be a major scoring punch if he stays healthy.

He doesn’t have much in terms of playoff experience. He only has 20 postseason games, with no goals and seven assists. Last season, he was a disappointment in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with just a point through six games. Still, when healthy, he’s an exciting forward to watch, with a great blend of goalscoring and physicality.