On July 1st the Calgary Flames signed Anthony Mantha to a 1-year $3.5 million contract. Mantha is a good skater with a great shot and good size. All the tools of a superstar power forward. However, Mantha has struggled with consistency and is now on his 4th NHL team. Let’s examine the best and worst case scenarios for Anthony Mantha this season.
How will Anthony Mantha Fit In Calgary
Mantha’s best two years of his career came in 2017-2018. Also, the following 2018-2019 seasons when he scored 48 points as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. He had some rough seasons following 2018 but is coming off a bounce-back year. He went on to score 23 goals and 43 points split between Washington and Las Vegas. The fit in Calgary could see Mantha finally crack the 50-point mark.
Mantha should slot into one of Calgary’s top two offensive lines. The perfect fit could be paired awith playmaker Jonathan Huberdeau. The two have been skating together during the past couple of offseasons. If they can create some chemistry it could mean big things for Mantha.
If they don’t mesh, Mantha could slot beside Nazem Kadri and one of either Connor Zary or Martin Pospisil. An injection of youth across from Mantha might provide the big winger with some extra energy. He can go out and produce at a level he hasn’t yet in the NHL.
In addition to Mantha being slotted on one of Calgary two offensive lines, he will surely receive plenty of power play time. Last season the Flames finished with a top power play unit of Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, Andrei Kuzmenko, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Yegor Sharangovich. There’s a very realistic possibility that Mantha will be the first player to get added to this group if it isn’t producing early, likely at the expense of Andrei Kuzmenko. If Mantha isn’t on the first unit, he will surely be a fixture on the second unit for the Flames this season.
Best Case Scenario
The best case scenario is that Anthony Mantha has a career season in Calgary. Finally eclipsing the 50-point plateau, and maybe even hitting the 30-goal mark. If Mantha can take advantage of all the ice time and offensive opportunities he should get this season, he’s primed for a big year. If this happens, Calgary will be in an excellent position to flip Mantha at the deadline for draft picks and prospects. Last season, Mantha moved from Washington to Vegas at the deadline for a second and fourth-round pick. If Calgary can replicate this return this signing will have been well worth it.
There is a world where Calgary would consider resigning Mantha. Especially if he proves to be a good fit with Huberdeau. As a 30-year old, Mantha could be seen as a veteran worth keeping around a growing young core for the right price. The chances of this are slim, as general manager Craig Conroy has shown through his first season at the helm he is prioritizing getting younger at every opportunity. If Mantha is playing well, the return will surely be too good to pass up.
Worst Case Scenario
There really isn’t any terrible situation here for the Flames. If Mantha were to be a complete bust as a free agent signing the impact will be almost nothing. The Flames aren’t in a position to be adding players at the deadline, and even if they were, they have plenty of cap space despite Mantha’s $3.5 million dollar deal. This means the worst case scenario here is that the Flames simply let Mantha walk at the end of the year. This low-risk, high-reward deal is what makes it one of Conroy’s best signings so far.
It will interesting to see if Mantha can have a big season with Calgary this year. Fans can expect to see him in a regular role with the club, getting plenty of ice all season long. Calgary has nothing but time when it comes to trying to make this signing work as they wait for some of their top prospects to get used to professional hockey.
Main Photo: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
