Detroit Red Wings: 4 players who benefit from the Anthony Mantha trade

A pair of Czech’s should benefit from the Detroit Red Wings’ most recent trade.

I assume Filip Zadina will be elevated in Jeff Blashill’s lineup and see a slight increase in time on ice for the remainder of the season.

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

Zadina had been averaging under 17 minutes per game throughout the season, but I expect that number to increase to about 18 and change the rest of the way.  Zadina will work in Mantha’s spot on the half wall, one-timer slot on Detroit’s top power-play with Larkin moving forward.  Zadina buried a beautiful goal Monday night in Carolina from this position on the power-play.

The 21-year old forward will have every opportunity to flourish in his expanded role.  So far in 2021, Zadina has recorded five goals and added 11 helpers totaling 16 points in 36 games.  The arrow is pointing up for Zadina moving forward within the organization.

Newly acquired Jakub Vrana will also see plenty of opportunities with the Detroit Red Wings after being sent over to the club in the Mantha deal.

Vrana’s numbers are nearly identical to Mantha’s over the past three years, and he’s two years younger.  The pending restricted free agent is certainly hoping to land a long-term deal. Still, I assume Yzerman would prefer to extend Vrana with another bridge-like deal he’s about to conclude, which pays him $3.35 million per season.

The 25-year old winger has averaged less than 14-minutes per game throughout his career yet still has achieved 76 career goals.  He’s played just a touch over 14-minutes in ’21, maintaining a Corsi For Percentage of 50.8.

This may seem a bit wild, but only six of Vrana’s 76 career goals have come on the power play in his young career.  He’d been buried behind the likes of Ovechkin and company in that regard in Washington.

Vrana will see plenty of power-play time in Detroit, and I expect his goal production will increase.