LW Anthony Mantha (2013, 20th, DET) II
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Teemu
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http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/st...uccess-bodes-well-for-red-wings-future-050415
Wings call out Mantha in the press
Bjorn Le
Hobocop
Does calling a player out really help them? I'm not sure. The hype for Mantha was a little strong anyway, I always thought he was going to be a player who takes a while to adjust and develop.
I watched parts of games 4 and 5 and barely noticed Mantha. GR had at least half a dozen forwards who were far more effective. Bertuzzi in particular was very impressive in his AHL debut. But I'm sure Mantha will be fine. Some players take longer to develop.
Skinnyjimmy08
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- Mar 30, 2012
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Doesn't really surprise me. I had always questioned how his game would be in pro hockey. I know he put up huge stats in junior but I was never real high on him. He's still young though and in the Wings organization and I am sure he will stay in AHL for a few more years like most Detroit prospects do. And when he makes his NHL debut, he will hopefully be a good player. Just needs time.
Breaking his leg really set him back this season. Not ready to write him off yet, but next season is going to be huge for him.
It's been a rough season for him relative to people's expectations. Anytime he started to develop chemistry with someone like Nosek or AA they'd get hurt and miss a lot of time. He's not getting the minutes he needs to score, certainly not on the powerplay, but that's because Blashill is tough on him with his play in his own end.
Skinnyjimmy08
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Ya I always found him to be a lazy player. Sure he was able to get away with it in junior but you cant get away with it in pro. We will see, hes young and I hope someone lights a fire under his a@*
He was praised pretty much by everyone in the organization during the prospect camp right before he broke his leg. I think he was the team's leading scorer up until that point. He struggled out of the gate and never really got out of Blashill's doghouse all season.
I watched the playoff games and don't remember his name being called by the announcers -- even once. I kinda forgot he was even playing. He may have gotten less ice time.
Still seems a little harsh. If the Leafs called out Nylander like this is would be all over the papers and news.
Claypool, I know that you watch the Griffins. If you don't find his recent play underwhelming, how exactly would you describe it? I still like him as a prospect, but admit that he is a pretty big reconstruction project.
SergeConstantin74
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Mantha is a late bloomer.
In Midget, he only played AA Espoir and not AAA at 15 when every other good player who are prospects for the QMJHL play AAA.
In Junior, he was a 5th round pick and didn't make the team at 16.
He started producing halfway through his 17 yo season in the QMJHL.
After a great season at 18 yo, he was blamed for poor playoffs performance.
At 19 yo, he was dominant all season, playoffs included.
At 20 yo... he's just starting in pro hockey.
Conclusion, give the kid some time!
In Midget, he only played AA Espoir and not AAA at 15 when every other good player who are prospects for the QMJHL play AAA.
In Junior, he was a 5th round pick and didn't make the team at 16.
He started producing halfway through his 17 yo season in the QMJHL.
After a great season at 18 yo, he was blamed for poor playoffs performance.
At 19 yo, he was dominant all season, playoffs included.
At 20 yo... he's just starting in pro hockey.
Conclusion, give the kid some time!
I don't think he's playing any better or worse than any of the other 2nd and 3rd line players on the team. His play is underwhelming relative to your expectations I guess.
Outside of Pulkkinen, Miele, and Callahan (before his injury) everyone else struggled offensively this season, and I don't think that's a coincidence. If Mantha got to play with Pulkkinen and Miele all season on the top line and on the power play he'd have plenty of points, so I'm not too concerned with his offensive play. Yeah, his backchecking kinda sucks and he doesn't seem to hustle every shift. He also can't dominate people using his size so he'll need to get stronger in that area.
SergeConstantin74
Always right.
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Defense and getting stronger... these are things you can teach and work on.
You can't teach talent.
Mantha will be fine.
It's like everybody expects good prospects to play great right away in pro hockey.
WildcatMapleLeafs28
Registered User
I took a tonne of crap for calling him a floater last season. Not saying he's not going to make it but finally people see some flaws.
Grand Rapids' secondary scoring consisted of Zengerle, Tvrdon, Mantha, Athanasiou, and Nosek, all of whom are rookies. That's far too many rookies to lean on throughout an entire season to score consistently.
Then there's vets in Hoggan and Porter, but they're offensive black holes, and the lone bright spot in Ferraro, but he's useless on the powerplay.
SergeConstantin74
Always right.
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Congratulations but his intensity on the ice already brought questions marks in 2012-13 before his draft. You were only a year late.
Mantha was always a little bit of a slow learner as someone pointed out. Not worried. At each level, hes needed extra time to adapt, this seems no different.
GoAwayDanCleary
DRWCC
- Aug 6, 2012
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Guys don't just put up 57 goals in 57 games at the Junior level. There's a reason why he was rated so highly, and I won't be surprised if he proves it next year. That being said there is a lot he needs to work on for it to happen.
I agree with this. I really want to re-iterate that 6'5 guys don't always translate directly and immediately into NHL gold. It usually takes a while to get huge guys on the right page. But it's worth it in the end.
Another factor is that Mantha is not a very good fit for the system the Griffins are playing. People point out that Bertuzzi has looked better, but that's because Bertuzzi skates and forechecks like a bat out of hell. In general, if you do not skate hard and play a rugged north/south style, you do not fit into Jeff Blashill's game plan very well. Even Pulkkinen, who wasn't known for that style, took a little while to figure it out.
I expect Mantha to come to camp next season a lot quicker, and not breaking his leg this time should really help his mobility. Not that he's really all that slow, but he looks like a big oaf considering the pace Athanasiou plays at.
