The Detroit Red Wings paired Anthony Mantha as a franchise cornerstone when they signed him in November for a $ 22.8 million four-year extension. Five months later he is gone.
The club has parted ways with a large, talented and relatively young forward with untapped potential, but general manager Steve Yzerman believes they have acquired assets that will help them now and in the future.
The Red Wings made the biggest splash on Mantha on Monday on a relatively quiet deadline, sending Mantha to the Washington Capitals. The most important pieces in return for that were left wing Jakub Vrarna and a first choice this year. Detroit also picked up a second round 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 concepts and prospects to speed up the rebuilding, and it was an opportunity to choose, but still keep our team as competitive as possible,” Yzerman said. ‘We feel like we have a replacement for the offense we’re losing by trading Anthony and acquiring Jakub. They play in a similar role, as well as Richard Panik, who can play in different roles, as well as concepts. ”
Vrana (25) and Mantha (26) have published almost identical statistics over the past four seasons. Vrana had 73 goals and 151 points during that time, while Mantha had 76 goals and 155 points.
“I think it’s fair to say that both of their historical statistics or personal statistics, their goal shooting, point production, performed less,” Yzerman said. “(Vrana) was in a very good team in Washington, so we hope he can play a bigger role in our team and thrive in it.”
Mantha frustrated the Red Wings with his contradiction, early in the NHL career and especially this season. Coach Jeff Blashill even scratched him for a game due to his lack of rush. Mantha led the team with 11 goals, below his 21 points, but more was expected.
“You look around in the league, there are a lot of good players who are having funny years,” Yzerman said. ‘Some guys have incredible years and there are a lot of good players that we would all say underperform. This is a chance for us to get a similar age. We felt we could find a replacement for Anthony and also add prospects or choices. Just kind of was a fit for a trade.
“I think Anthony Mantha is 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 short term and to move forward. We get a player who is part of our series, who can play a similar role and who we can still do what we want to do, and who still makes a contribution. “
The Red Wings have 12 picks in this year’s draft, including two in the first round and three in the second round. They have nine choices in 2022.
Yzerman said he had spoken to a few teams about Mantha, but ‘legal talks’ were only a ‘very small group’.
He said he is considering waiting until the July draft or even next season before moving the 6-5, 234-pound wing.
“We’re sitting here wondering if we want to do it now, or should we wait for a draft or a year from now?” Yzerman said. “Will (the yield) be so much better in the concept? Maybe, maybe not. … Probably it would have been something similar. We were comfortable doing that, but will definitely see what is available in the future. ”
The Red Wings traded two of their many approaching unlimited free throws this past weekend in defenders Patrik Nemeth (to Colorado for a fourth round in 2022) and Jon Merrill (to Montreal for a fifth round of 2021).
Yzerman was open to moving other players, without being specific. The list of approaching UFAs includes goalkeeper Jonathan Bernier, defender Marc Staal and forwards Luke Glendening, Darren Helm and Sam Gagner.
The Red Wings are likely to sign one or two of them, namely Glendening and Bernier.
“I think I accomplished everything that really made sense to us,” Yzerman said. ‘Would I have liked to have done more, or done certain things? Can be. You do what you can do and with our players we had, I’m happy with the deals we’ve done, and we’ll continue from here. ‘
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