Anthony Mantha leaves the Canadiens head coach watching a clear top-six option come off the board after Montreal passed on a 2-year offer.
That is the part of this story that is going to stick in Montreal. Mantha was linked to the Canadiens for weeks, then signed with the Devils instead.
The deal itself is not hard to justify. New Jersey got Anthony Mantha on a 2-year contract worth 4.75M AAV, which is a manageable swing for a proven scoring winger.
What makes the reaction louder in Montreal is the production. Mantha scored 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games last season, which is not depth-line output.
That kind of winger could have filled a real need. Montreal still looks light for a true second-line fit, especially on a roster still searching for more finish around its young skill.
The reported reason for the Canadiens backing off is what changes the angle. The decision was not framed as money alone. It was framed as protecting lineup space down the road.
That brings Alexander Zharovsky and Michael Hage right into the middle of the debate. Montreal appears to have left room for two prospects it believes could arrive within the next 9 months.
There was some noise that the Canadiens had interest in Anthony Mantha.
Hearing it was not that serious and that a legitimate offer was never placed.
Mantha is going to a pretty good situation in New Jersey, who was looking for a top-6 forward this summer.
-
The real reason the Canadiens didn't sign Anthony Mantha has been revealed
That logic is easy to understand from a long-view team build. You do not want to jam up the forward group if you think two high-end young pieces may be ready to push for NHL games.
But there is another side to it. Prospect timelines are rarely clean, and late-season arrivals do not always change a playoff race in a big way.
That is why this miss is going to bother part of the fan base. A 2-year bet on Anthony Mantha did not look like the sort of contract that blocks a rebuild or traps a roster.
It looked like the kind of middle-ground move smart teams make. Short term, useful cap number, real size, and a winger who can help a top six without demanding a massive commitment.
And because Montreal did not make a major offensive addition this summer, the decision stands out even more. Passing on Mantha becomes less about one player and more about what the club chose not to do.
The Devils now get the player, and Montreal gets the pressure that comes with staying patient. If Zharovsky and Michael Hage hit, the choice will age well. If the Canadiens still need wing help by midseason, Anthony Mantha is going to be the name fans circle back to.
Did the Canadiens make a mistake by passing on Anthony Mantha at 2 years and 4.75M AAV?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
More details on Steve Yzerman's surprising exit just emerged and they involve Dylan Larkin
