Anthony Mantha, fresh off a career-best 33-goal season, almost returned to Detroit this past Friday, but the deal completely collapsed, leaving fans scratching their heads. Detroit Free Press reporter Carlos Monarrez broke the news that the Red Wings actually had an agreement in place to bring the winger back, only for it to fall apart while owner Chris Ilitch reportedly deliberated on approving it.
The Collapse: Timing, Missed Value, and Wild Swings
Talk about bad timing! Interim assistant GM Shawn Horcoff reportedly had the framework of the Mantha deal ready on the very day Steve Yzerman’s removal as general manager was announced. NHL Rumor Report even indicated Detroit’s offer was a modest one year at $5 million. Instead, Mantha inked a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the New Jersey Devils, carrying a $4.75 million annual cap hit. This wasn’t some long-shot gamble, either. This was a player coming off a prove-it deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he absolutely exploded, setting new career highs with 33 goals and 31 assists for 64 points in 81 games! We’re talking about a 33-goal breakout season, his best offensive year ever, and Detroit had the chance to bring him back and just couldn’t close it out.
Mantha’s Past and What Detroit Lost
Mantha’s no stranger to the Motor City, by the way. Detroit originally drafted him 20th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. He spent six seasons with the organization, racking up 95 goals and 99 assists for 194 points in 302 games, and even strung together four straight seasons with at least 36 points before the Red Wings moved on from him. They sent him to the Washington Capitals in April 2021 in a trade that returned a 2021 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, and forwards Jakub Vrana and Richard Panik. His career then took him from Washington to Vegas to Calgary before he landed in Pittsburgh last summer on a modest, incentive-laden contract. He totally cashed in on that bet, delivering the best offensive season of his career and really helping to fuel a resurgent Penguins team down the stretch. You have to imagine what he could have meant if that reunion went through for Detroit. He could have easily slotted into their middle six, provided a crucial contingency plan if Patrick Kane doesn’t return to the squad, or simply added some much-needed scoring depth to a top nine that genuinely needs it. The front-office turmoil, with Yzerman’s transition out of the GM role, was announced the same morning Mantha’s signing with New Jersey became official. Whether that chaos played any role in how things unfolded is unclear, but that timing definitely stands out.
Whatever the reason behind it, for the price the Devils ultimately paid to land a forward coming off a career year and carrying a proven 40-point floor, this is a massive missed opportunity for Detroit. You gotta believe this one will be circled on the calendar as a “what if” for Red Wings fans as the season unfolds. They really dropped the puck on this one, and it’s gonna sting.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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