Red Wings: Anthony Mantha extension would keep offseason snowball rolling
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings started with the Robby Fabbri extension, now its time to extend Anthony Mantha.
As the Detroit Red Wings continue with their offseason and the rest of the league’s true offseason begins, eventually, they can get a head start. While the Red Wings started rolling a snowball by awarding forward Robby Fabbri with a two-year contract extension.
The two-year extension for Fabbri was a very team-friendly deal but still leaves the Red Wings with some work to do beyond this extension. Star forward Anthony Mantha is due for a contract extension, and many are patiently waiting for the announcement.
While the Red Wings have plenty of cap room and should be trying to make a splash in free agency, they need to do something with Tyler Bertuzzi and Mantha. However, General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman needs to get things going with Mantha.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
The Red Wings should be looking to extend Mantha on a long-term basis, keeping him a part of this franchise for years to come.
He has become a staple in the Red Wings top-six and top line for the tenure of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Mantha, now twenty-five years old, should be given something in the range of six years on his (hopefully) impending extension.
As of now, Mantha is taking home $3.3 million annually and is due for one heck of a pay raise for the foreseeable future.
While he was injured during the 2019-20 COVID-19 shortened season, he still has shown significant improvement in recent years.
Given that Detroit Red Wings should extend Anthony Mantha, it could get the offseason snowball of events rolling.
In 2019-20, Mantha only played in 43 games for the Red Wings, where he scored 16 goals and tallied 22 assists for 38 total points. He has been a dominant forward for the organization, and he should be able to continue this trend.
Taking this into account, and taking his former salary into account, it would not be ludicrous to say that the Red Wings could throw around $5 million annually towards Mantha.
In recent years, Mantha’s scoring has seen an increase. While injuries could be a worry, he has illustrated an ability to add production offensively. Whether it is a net-front presence, using his 6-foot-5, 234-pound frame to cause issues in front of the net.
Not to say that is his only value, Mantha can carry the puck, again using his body to get the puck into the zone and try to create scoring chances.
To offer a comparison, William Nylander has a similar contract set up with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nylander is a player who the Red Wings could look to acquire in a trade if the organization wants to make a blockbuster deal.
The Red Wings offseason might be one of the more important ones for Yzerman as he tries to start phasing in some of the younger talents while also re-stocking in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft where the Red Wings have some of the most draft picks among all teams.
Given the importance this offseason will have, as well as the interesting dynamic this offseason will bring, why not get ahead?
Trending. Red Wings: Draft capital works in Steve Yzerman’s favor in 2020. light
Signing Anthony Mantha to an extension could be a move that keeps the snowball rolling and gets it moving quicker for the Detroit Red Wings.