The Daily: Anthony Mantha Suddenly Desirable?; NHL Trade Talk

As shocking as this may sound to Detroit Red Wings fans, Anthony Mantha is on pace to score 27 goals this season for the Washington Capitals. He has 15 in 43 games this season. That gives Mantha an outside shot at 30.

This is an interesting turn of events when you consider that Mantha hasn’t scored more than 11 in a season since the Red Wings traded him to Washington during the 2020-21 season. He has been in his coach’s doghouse more than once since the deal. It’s fair to say he hasn’t lived up to expectations since the Capitals acquired him. (The same is true for Jakub Vrana who is playing for Springfield in the American Hockey League. He has eight goals and 15 points in 17 games.

Mantha’s renewed offensive punch has opened up the possibility that he could be traded before the March 8 trade deadline.  Mantha will be an unrestricted free agent.  He seems to be an option for teams that want to add a potential scorer without giving up much. We are talking about a draft pick outside the first two rounds. To get that, the Capitals will have to eat half of his $5.7 million salary.

While the main players of this deal have been a disappointment, the Red Wings are still excited about the draft picks they received in the deal. They turned into Sebastian Cossa and Dmitry Buchelnikov.

A potential trade option for the Jets haven’t heard much about is Anthony Mantha. He’s still very good and would be the type of inexpensive under the radar pickup that’s worked out for the Jets lately. Would probably look similar to the Niederreiter deal last year.

— Bryan Johnston (@BryanJohnston18) February 1, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Sebastian Cossa sharp again in net as the Grand Rapids Griffins win their seventh consecutive road game.
• Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat has six points in two games to help Team Auston Matthews win the NHL All-Star tournament.
• Christian Fischer has been an unsung hero on the Detroit Red Wings’ recent surge.
• Several Detroit Red Wings have a shot to make their country’s Olympic teams for 2026

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings (9-2-2) in January are on their annual break. They will have two practices before resuming their schedule at home Saturday with a matinee game against the Vancouver Canucks (1 p.m.).

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: Nate Brown writes that Olympic hockey was the real winner of All-Star weekend. Project Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard playing for Team Canada

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche waived goalie Ivan Prosvetov. They want to get a look at Finnish prospect Justis Annunen, Evan Rawal has the details.

Montreal: Marc Dumont explores the trade value of Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen. Several NHL teams are looking to upgrade their goaltending.

Nashville: NHN Editor Michael Gallagher looks at some hypothetical deals to move goalie Juuse Saros. Should they move him? Nashville Predators.

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey believes the Philadelphia Flyers should claim Prosvetov. With Carter Hart gone, the Flyers need goalie depth.

Pittsburgh: How the Sean Monahan deal impacts the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dan Kingerski weighs in.