Anthony Mantha is becoming a real force for the Detroit Red Wings

Missing 15 games with a hand injury pretty much put 30 goals out of reach for the young Detroit Red Wings power forward. That has not stopped Anthony Mantha from returning to form and more consistent play.

Anthony Mantha was projected to be a force for the Detroit Red Wings. It has taken some time and development, but Mantha is finally showing his projections were and still are accurate. Even with games lost due to a broken hand injury Mantha is on target for 20 goals.  He broke his hand going to the aid of his future captain Dylan Larkin.  Mantha said if he could do it all over again he would.  Sticking up for a teammate goes a long way in the locker room.

Anthony has a rare combination of size and speed. His skating has drastically improved. Mantha has transformed himself into a big asset on the power play. His goals come in bunches. Leading into the all-star break Mantha had been on a nice roll.  He’s been playing with a tremendous amount of confidence.

Since coming off the disabled list, Mantha has three goals. Anthony Mantha is cementing himself as a go-to player, who will be a big part of the  Detroit Red Wings future after the dust settles on the rebuild.

More from Octopus Thrower

• Detroit Red Wings forward Carter Mazur injured in Prospect Tournament
• Detroit Red Wings: What does Klim Kostin’s role look like in 2023-24?
• Detroit Red Wings: 3 players who will make biggest impact in first year
• The Detroit Red Wings need Andrew Copp to start fast in 2023-24
• Detroit Red Wings had a busy off-season; but was it enough?

It has been a long time since Detroit has had a 30 goals scorer. 2008-09 to be exact when the Wings were fortunate enough to have four. Mantha’s numbers are impressive for the games he has played in. 12 goals in 36 games, .35 goals-per-game the would have translated to just under 30 goals for the 24-year-old winger.

Anthony has the ability to be elite. Good players are a dime a dozen, elite players, on the other hand, are much more difficult to come by. Dylan Larkin is elite and has taken flight this season. Mantha, Larkin’s linemate is showing flashes of following in his centers’ footsteps.

One aspect that Anthony Mantha needs to continue to grow in is shooting the puck more. Once he does, he will become an even more significant threat to score. That will help push him to elite status. Something that he can do.

Mantha also has the ability to take games over. His defense has grown as has his ability to be hard on the forecheck. Gaining confidence is evident in Mantha’s play. He just needs to take the next step, which he certainly looks like he is close to doing.

Once Anthony rounds his game out he will be a deadly force and will take pressure off and create additional space for both his teammates and linemates.