There’s no question Washington Capitals forward Anthony Mantha has been somewhat underwhelming during his brief tenure in the District. His skill-set has been “as advertised” on occasion, but he’s lacked the consistent drive and finish to become a bonafide top-six winger in the nation’s capital.
Mantha’s $5.7 million price tag is also a choke point for most, leaving one fishing through the available free-agent forward listings. In addition, Mantha is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season, and will most likely be finding a new team next summer, if not sooner.
So why should the Capitals consider holding on to Mantha? Simply put, motivation and trade value.
If you take a look at Mantha’s previous contract year, he had his best points-producing season of his career. The surge during his last contract year could be pure coincidence and/or happenstance. Nonetheless, it’s another data point in the Mantha decision tree.
There is also a chance that new head coach Spencer Carbery can light a fire under Mantha. Carbery is an excellent motivator and relates well to his players. He knows who needs to be stroked and who needs to be scolded, and is excellent at the finer points of maximizing player potential. That combined with a little extra push on Mantha’s end in a contract year could go a long way..or longer way.
Right now Mantha’s trade value is at an all-time low and would likely cost the Capitals a draft pick(s) just to unload his weighty contract. In the event Mantha gets a good or even decent start to the 2023-24 season, his trade value and potential return will rise. Waiting to make a move mid-season will allow the Capitals to optimize the timing of a deal for the most beneficial return.
That’s the “why” it might pay to keep Mantha to start the season. We’ve documented the “why not” as well. Bottom line, the Capitals could certainly use his cap space, as there are plenty of point-producing options currently on the market or available via trade that can provide better points-per-dollar value than Mantha. And the Capitals need points producers.
The decision regarding Mantha will likely become known in the next couple of weeks. If the plan is to deal the winger, a trade occurring around the draft or in the following two weeks will likely surface. If the Capitals need cash to make a move to improve the team, it’s likely Mantha’s contract would be the first casualty, unless another player is moved in the deal.
If Mantha makes it to mid-July, he’s likely returning, unless Brian MacLellan gets an unexpected offer in the closing days of the off-season.
By Jon Sorensen
The Mantha contract is the classic Brer Rabbit Tar Baby — the more you punch it, the further stuck you become. It’s like a piece of horsemeat. The more you chew it, the bigger it gets
Well, who knows, maybe Miracle Man Spencer Coach can coax a resurgence from Mo. Quite a few previous-regime stinky socks left behind for Newcoach Carbery to try and wash! His input to GMBM could be key. Does he want to struggle with Mo this season?
wherever you’ve been eating all this horsemeat, it a place I don’t want to dine at.
I agree. Mantha struggled but he’s not a bad character guy. There’s a fair chance he’ll score 20 goals. I wouldn’t be desperate to trade him away.
I also wish Mantha would hit somebody. He’s big and strong, but doesn’t play big and strong
Character and effort are his problems. That would be the traits Carberry has to change.
Don’t trade now. Who buys high and sells low?
Trade in December
Glad the people yelling “trade him now” aren’t managing my stocks.
Complicated issue for me. If we can acquire a scoring winger then I would do whatever I could to dump his salary to make room. If a team makes a good offer now I would move him. I would not at this time give him away if we don’t have a plan in place to make good use of the cap space.
The Caps plans are:
#1 get Ovie the NHL’s all-time goal scoring record
#2 start to looking for future stars to build a future Cup winner.
The goal scoring record is important, let’s face it. That’s a record that may stand for 100 years.
Mantha has struggled for the Caps. Not sure what’s up with him. Can he help Ovie to score goals? If so, great. If not, then trade him with the idea of finding a player who can help Ovie.
Assuming that Ovie keeps scoring goals BMac can slowly add young star players through the draft and trades.
I agree with 100% of this.
Like (since the button’s not working)
Good points in general, Lance. But will the goal scoring record stand for 100 years? It probably won’t last that long. But it should stand for at least a generation or so.
Initially I just saw the first part of the headline (“The Reasons For Keeping Anthony Mantha”) and thought this would be the shortest article in internet history, maybe even just a blank space with no text! And perhaps it would be followed by articles like “The Reasons Why Smoking Is Good For You”
But you’re right: it’s unlikely his value could drop any further so unless there’s an urgent need to clear cap space there’s no point in selling low now.
Give him until Thanksgiving to prove his worth. He needs to have a good year so expect better at the start of the season.
As a Wings fan, I was confused as to why SY signed him. Then when he traded him to the Caps, it showed his process. Unfortunately Vrana didn’t work out, but he was a better risk than Mantha – he wasn’t motivated since his rookie training camp and was completely unimpressive during that pre-season… I called him a bust then. If Steve Yzerman, Ovechkin, playing in the NHL, and millions of dollars all fail to motivate him I don’t see how the new coach can. Your best bet is to try and trade him while you can. Maybe to Columbus? They just brought in Babcock to destroy the team, he might want him.
Thanks for insight Carmine. Appreciate the varied perspective/ Yzerman is an excellent GM, Mantha/Vrána aside. MacLellan and Yzerman decided to switch two troubled players at the chance the change of scenery would do them good. It was worth a shot.
As much s I would like to see them trade Mantha I don’t want to give up any pick or other players to see him gone. Honestly cutting him does no good as it has a negative effect on the cap. SO maybe holding him and seeing what he can do in training camp and for the first part of the season. Maybe the fact that this is his contract year will motivate him enough that the Caps can trade him mid season and get something for him. IF nothing else, and not wishing this to happen, maybe a pulled muscle that puts him in the IR long term would be best for all.