The Detroit Red Wings had Anthony Mantha pegged as a franchise cornerstone when they signed him to a four-year, $22.8 million extension in November. Five months later, he is gone.
The club parted with a big, talented and relatively young forward with untapped potential, but general manager Steve Yzerman believes they gained assets that will help them now and into the future.
The Red Wings made the biggest splash on a relatively quiet trade deadline day Monday, sending Mantha to the Washington Capitals. The key pieces in return were left wing Jakub Vrarna and a first-round pick this year. Detroit also acquired a second-round selection in 2022 and agreed to take back veteran right wing Richard Panik to make the deal work under the salary cap.
“We’re trying to add draft picks and prospects to expedite in the rebuild and this was an opportunity to acquire picks but still keep our team as competitive as possible,” Yzerman said. “We feel like we got a replacement for the offense that we’re losing, trading Anthony and acquiring Jakub, they play in a similar role, as well as Richard Panik, who can play in a variety of roles, as well as draft picks.”
Vrana, 25, and Mantha, 26, have posted nearly identical statistics the past four seasons. Vrana has 73 goals and 151 points during that time while Mantha has 76 goals and 155 points.
“I think it’s fair to say both of them were underperforming their historic statistics or personal stats, their goal scoring, point production,” Yzerman said. “(Vrana) was on a very good team in Washington, so we’re hoping that he can play a bigger role on our team and thrive in that.”
Mantha frustrated the Red Wings with his inconsistency, early in the NHL career and especially this season. Coach Jeff Blashill even scratched him for a game due to his lack of hustle. Mantha led the team with 11 goals, among his 21 points, but more was expected.
“You look around the league, there’s a lot of really good players that are having funny years,” Yzerman said. “Some guys are having unbelievable years and there’s some really good players that we would all say are underperforming. This is a chance for us to get a similar-age player. We felt like we can get a replacement for Anthony and add prospects or picks as well. Just kind of was a fit for a trade.
“I think Anthony Mantha’s a very talented hockey player and I hope he does well, and I expect him to do well in Washington. Ultimately, this trade makes sense for us in the near term and moving forward. We get a player that goes into our lineup, that can play a similar role, and still accomplish what we’re trying to do and that’s add to the pipeline.”
The Red Wings have 12 selections in this year’s draft, including two in the first round and three in the second round. They have nine picks in 2022.
Yzerman said he spoke to a few teams about Mantha, but “legitimate talks” centered around only a “very small group.”
He said he considered waiting until the July draft or even next season before moving the 6-5, 234-pound winger.
“We sit here and wonder do we want to do this now or should we wait for a draft or a year from now?” Yzerman said. “Is (the return) going to be that much better at the draft? Maybe, maybe not. … Probably would have been something similar. We were comfortable doing it, but certainly mulled over do we see what’s available in the future.”
The Red Wings traded two of their many impending unrestricted free agents over the weekend in defensemen Patrik Nemeth (to Colorado for a 2022 fourth-round pick) and Jon Merrill (to Montreal for a 2021 fifth-rounder).
Yzerman was open to moving other players, without being specific. The list of impending UFAs includes goaltender Jonathan Bernier, defenseman Marc Staal and forwards Luke Glendening, Darren Helm and Sam Gagner.
The Red Wings likely will re-sign one or two of them, namely Glendening and Bernier.
“I think I accomplished everything that I could that really made sense for us,” Yzerman said. “Would I have liked to have done more, done certain things? Maybe. You do what you can do and with our players that we had, I’m pleased with the trades that we did make, and we move forward from here.”
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