Anthony Mantha and Martin St-Louis feel like a clean short-term Montreal match if the Canadiens want one more big winger.
This is not about chasing a long contract for a player on the back side of his career. It is about whether Montreal can squeeze value out of a local winger coming off a strong bounce-back season.
Mantha still has real offense in his game. NHL.com lists him at 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games in 2025-26, which is not depth scoring by any standard.
The frame matters too. He is 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, and Montreal still does not have many forwards built like that who can also finish plays.
That is why the fit gets interesting beside skill. Ivan Demidov just posted 62 points in 82 games as a rookie, and Alex Newhook finished with 20 goals in 56 games despite missing time.
Put a winger with Mantha's reach and release next to one of those players, and at least on paper it gives the Canadiens a different look than another small or straight-line add.
" We'd be willing to consider signing Mantha (former Hughes client) to a short deal.
6'5” 234lbs winger who had a strong bounce back year last year. Put him on a line with Newhook/Demidov.
If Hughes ends up finding a 2nd liner to play with Demidov, Mantha can slide to 3rd line. Would also be a big body to park in front of the net on the 2nd PP wave. "
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The key for Montreal is term, not talent
This only works if the contract stays short. Mantha turns 32 in September, so Montreal should be thinking 1 year, not a deal that clogs the books into a different stage of the build.
The Canadiens earned 106 points last season and are not shopping from desperation anymore. They can afford to be selective and use a short bet to raise the forward floor instead of forcing a bigger swing.
That matters because the roster already has real young skill. Nick Suzuki hit 101 points, Cole Caufield scored 51 goals, and Demidov already looks like a major piece.
So Mantha would not need to carry anything. He would need to complement, finish, and give St-Louis another winger who can play in the top 9 without the lineup getting lighter.
There is risk, no question. His playoff line was only 1 point in 6 games, and his career has had enough swings that you do not hand him a comfort contract.
But on a short ticket, this is the kind of move Montreal should consider. Anthony Mantha brings size, local ties, and 33-goal proof that there is still enough offense there to help a team already moving in the right direction.
Should the Canadiens sign Anthony Mantha to a short-term deal?
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