Former Washington Capitals’ forward Jakub Vrana was ultimately dealt to the Detroit Red Wings back in April of 2021 because of issues with, and his performance under head coach Peter Laviolette. Anthony Mantha, the player the Capitals received in the trade for Vrana, just might be following a similar path.
Expected to be a top-6 forward, Mantha was demoted to the Capitals’ fourth line on Thursday. He logged 12:21 of ice time and recorded an assist in the Capitals 6-2 win over the Blue Jackets on Thursday night in his first game on the fourth line.
However, things further deteriorated for Mantha on Friday night against the Nashville Predators. He was on the ice for both of the Predators first two goals and as a result, saw his ice time take a severe hit. He logged just 5:47 through the first two periods and ended the game with a team-low 9:48. He was the only Capitals player with less than 10 minutes of ice time.
It’s always difficult to ascertain how a relationship between two people is going when you are not part of the relationship. We don’t know if Mantha is in Laviolette’s proverbial dog house, or if Laviolette just wants to see more from him. It likely a little of both.
Mantha, 28, doesn’t have bad stats so far this season. He has nine goals and 14 assists in the first 42 games this season. He’s 5th on the team in xGF% (53.99%) and +3.47 in expected goals differential (xGF – xGA). But he’s not a fourth liner. And he makes $5,700,000 per year.
Mantha is capable of more. He recorded 24 and 25 goals in his first two season’s with the Red Wings (2017-19), but is on pace for just 18 this season. Mantha’s numbers have fallen off in recent seasons, but that has been mostly due to injuries.
What this means going forward is up for debate. Laviolette clearly wants more from Mantha, but will he get it? Will Mantha respond positively to this week’s demotion and reduced minutes? It’s up to him.
The Capitals will need to make significant roster adjustments, possibly in the next 24 hours, with the return of Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson. What will this mean for Mantha? Maybe nothing, but he’s not a fourth liner, and that will change one way or the other.
By Jon Sorensen
I remember red wings fans saying he was a loafer and apathetic in his game. They may not be wrong.
I have no problems with Mantha tonight, Conor Sheary however played like crap.
Sheary’s been one of our best players all season. Mantha….
While I agree with your statement, Sheary did have an off night.
I have no confidence in this stat. You can’t tell me Mojo and Eller were dominant.
It’s an industry standard stat. Laviolette references it all the time.
So is plus/minus. Doesn’t make them reliable.
He’s lazy and that drives Lavi nuts. Both will never say anything publicly but it was the same when Vrana was here.
He could easily finish the season with 50 pts! Hes better than AK!
Put the weed down.
AK keeps taking penalties. But then he scores a goal which helps his case for staying in the lineup. While, as of late, if Mantha didn’t have bad luck with regard to scoring, he’d have no luck at all
He just looks like he’s not interested. Every post his wife posts on IG he is flat on his back.
Now I’m wondering. Might we see a trade in the works. If Mantha is too low in the team’s pecking order for forwards, could they trade him for a couple of picks/prospects. Figure he should be worth a 2nd and 3rd rounder. Or draft pick and the rights to a prospect. If that trading partner isn’t a contender, they could flip him at the deadline.
I’d be delighted to get a 2nd & 3rd for him. I don’t see it happening, though. Not every GM is as stupid as our own Brian McClellan, and will give up a king’s ransom for him
I hear the KHL is hiring
My least favorite Capital…besides Irwin
I would be all for a trade if only to gain important cap space for next year if they are wanting to re sign Strome and Milano, Gust etc…
He and/or Eller
Lavi definitely prioritizes work ethic and responsible play. He’s has many to play the 4LW role. Sheary was good. Snively couldn’t do it. Mojo did fine. Mantha did not.
Mantha is a very good top 6 player but still paid too much. But if deployed by another team in top 6 and on PP1 he could have some good trade value and would likely do well in that role.
But yeah, he is not going to fit here with Lavi any more. He has too many other options. So trade him and get a RD.
Mantha makes $5.7 M. Strome, Milano and Mojo make that combined. Mantha has 23 points, the 3 aforementioned players have 70.
Stats go out the window if you’re pausing off the coach. – see “Jakub Vrana”