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Core Series: Should Red Wings Resign Anthony Mantha Long Term?

By John Manzo

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 02: Anthony Mantha #39 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his first period goal with teammates while playing the Colorado Avalanche at Little Caesars Arena on March 02, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 02: Anthony Mantha #39 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his first period goal with teammates while playing the Colorado Avalanche at Little Caesars Arena on March 02, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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We’re beginning our “core” series, highlighting who should be part of the Detroit Red Wings’ future. First up: Anthony Mantha

The “Yzerplan” is going to come with tough decisions for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman.

We saw as much during the NHL trade deadline last month when Yzerman decided to trade upcoming restricted free agent (RFA) Andreas Athanasiou to Ken Holland and the Edmonton Oilers for two second round picks.

Athanasiou scored 30 goals during the 2018-19 season and has a reputation as a speedy forward who can create offense. For a team struggling to score, Athanasiou has value. Heck, for teams who can score he has value, obviously, given the numerous team who had interest in him before he was shipped to the Oilers.

In six games with the Oilers, Athansiou has one goal and as many assists. This move allowed Yzerman to avoid sticky contract discussions with a player who already had contract disputes with the team.

And early indications show it was the right move. Nice work, Yzerman.

Now, not as easy, will be discussions with upcoming RFA Anthony Mantha. Mantha has better locker room presence than Athansiou, sticks up for his teammates, wants to be in Detroit and has been productive when on the ice.

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Known as a scorer, he’s topped 25 goals in a season and has 83 career goals during his five-year career. Those numbers don’t do him justice, seeing as he hasn’t played a full season in the NHL. More accurate is 168 points in 257 games.

Will Yzerman pay Mantha? Will it be a long-term deal? Mantha said this week he anticipates a complicated negotiation process, especially given he’s only played 40 games so far this season.

If I’m Yzerman, Mantha is part of this core and I’m signing him to a similar deal to Dylan Larkin’s five-year deal worth $6.1M annually.

This isn’t a fluky Abdelkader we’re dealing with in Mantha. He is known as a scorer, shown he’s a scorer and has plenty of years left to perform at a high level.

I look at him (and not saying he’s on the same level by any means) as this team’s Sergei Fedorov. He’s the scorer; the flashy guy (along with what I assume will be Filip Zadina will turn into, too).

These types of players put the puck in the net. It’s what they do.

Mantha is a future alternate captain and someone you pay.

He’s part of the core.

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