Is Mantha a Fit?
May 19, 2024
By Bob Trask
In the search for some scoring punch on the Habs, there had been some hype around the potential signing of Maxim Tsyplakov out of the KHL before he signed with the Islanders. There are other potential targets as well and Anthony Mantha could be one of them if he doesn’t re-sign with Vegas. But is he a fit? The 6’5 forward would bring some much-needed size to the forward lineup and, as a bonus, is a native of Longueuil, Quebec. NHL Edge provides a glimpse of the attributes he brings to a team. His top skating speed ranks in the 74th percentile and he ranks even higher for bursts of speed above 20 and 22 mph. His skating distance per 60 minutes is in the 67th percentile so he does more than just stand around. Mantha’s top shot speed is 96 mph ranking him in the 82nd percentile. He also ranks in the 69th percentile for shots from high-danger areas and his shooting percentage from all locations on the ice ranks in the 99th percentile. The disclaimer is that these are his individual characteristics only and say nothing about his team play, his defensive play or his effort on the ice. Nevertheless, these individual qualities are something that was lacking on the Canadiens this past season. Another caveat is that he will be looking for a long-term contract and it is unlikely to be cheap – AFP Analytics projects in to be three years at $4.4 million per year. He will be 30 years old when the season starts, which may not seem to be the sweet spot for the Habs, but a three-year contract may fit the timeline for this year’s first-round pick to come in and replace him on expiry. With all that said, would Anthony Mantha be a fit for the Canadiens? – Trask