Detroit Red Wings: What’s Going on with Anthony Mantha?

Is Mantha having a falling out of favor with management?

Mantha has certainly had his fair share of criticism levied at him over the years. Who can forget Jimmy Devellano saying that Mantha was “very disappointing” when it came down to his performance in Detroit. Devellano went as far as saying they had “very high hopes,” hinting that he may never get to the levels they projected. Yikes.

Blashill has always been tough on his younger players and has certainly made some questionable decisions not only this season (Givani Smith!) but also in season’s past when it came to ice time for veterans and prospects.

Already once this season Mantha has sat during crucial times–being pulled from shifts in the third period of a game to being held out of the first two power play shifts against Florida but Dylan Larkin was also punished. So it didn’t seem targeted.

But this? First it’s a game where Mantha noticeably played poorly. Next it was being held off the power play—-when the team can’t score on power plays. Now? It’s an entire game in the midst of a losing streak.

Though it worked out with the 4-1 victory, it makes you wonder if maybe something else could be considered.