One of the lingering questions among Washington Capitals fans as of late is the current status of Anthony Mantha, and his projected return date. Capitals’ bench boss Peter Laviolette was a guest on 106.7 The Fan this morning where he discussed the status of Mantha and his projected return.
Laviolette said that Mantha is progressing, and he could possibly return to skating sometime this month (February).
“I think maybe there’s a chance (return before playoffs). He’s moving along, and progressing inside the room. He’s not out on the ice with us yet. I think we hope to see him this month, out on the ice, but then from there, I think there will still be a little bit of a process.”
Laviolette added that while Mantha may return to skating this month, that is just the first step in a long road back.
”When he does step on the ice I think we just gotta not get too excited about the fact you see him out on the ice. That would be a first step in a tough injury that he had in a long road back,” said Laviolette.
”So it’s going to be a little bit. But I do think there’s a chance that we’ll see him on the ice at some point here in February. And my guess is yes we would see him back before we play our first playoff game.”
Mantha’s fiancé Caitlyn posted a photo of the couple over the weekend which showed Mantha’s surgery scar on his shoulder.
Mantha was injured in a collision with teammate John Carlson in the second period of the Capitals 5-4 overtime loss to the Panthers in Florida on November 4. He would have surgery on his shoulder the following day.
#Caps forward Anthony Mantha underwent a successful surgery on his shoulder following yesterday’s game against the Florida Panthers and will be out indefinitely.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 5, 2021
The Capitals posted a photo of Mantha skating alone at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday, February 9.
The Capitals are back in action on Thursday when they play the last-place Montreal Canadiens north of the boarder. Puck drop is set for just after 7:00 PM.
By Jon Sorensen
Before PLAYOFFS eh?
Has he seen our team play lately?
We need a whole lotta of something to happen before Playoffs and Mantha surely not the top of the list 🤔😳😵💫
With ya, Leslie. Not the best wording by Laviolette.
Maybe he meant the 2023 playoffs?
That is one nasty scar and yes they ahve great rehab for sports figures but still dont see where he will be ready to play in 2 months. Let him take the time to get to 100% and be ready for next season. Sad to say this team is headed for an early exin in the playoffs. I wish it were not so but I dont see them advancing with the lack of a PP, poor D and only the 4th like playing together. So lets play the young guys and get them a ton of experience and please no trades unless you trade Carlson, Eller, Oshie or other older players with high salaries for younger players or picks. Start the rebuild now as this team, sad as it may be, is NOT a Cup winning team!
I think they still need to go all in. Years dwindling on the 8 and 19 contracts means they can’t afford to just throw in the towel. Get a goaltender at trade deadline and see what happens. But by all means, Mantha needs to play.
As fans we must stop blaming the goal tending SAMMY has had good and bad games
THE team has had mostly bad games with no idea!
I also don’t think they can win the Cup. However, I am happy supporting a pretty good team while Ovi chases the record. Only way we win the Cup while the chase is on is if our young talent turns into at least one top 6 forward. Feravary has already surprised to the upside. We should be able to add another strong defender when we let Schultz walk. Need Connor to continue to ascend.