LW Anthony Mantha (2013, 20th, DET) II

[BStinson]

Spend more time watching hockey and less time watching films, and you'll start to develop a grasp for what I'm talking about.

Not a movie guy I repair camcorders / compose film for small firm. So I am one of those guys that knows a little about the mechanics and the overall functionality of camcorders but ehhh whatever your talking about. When I watch hockey on TV I have no problem watching things around the play or the play itself developing so maybe one day you "will develop a grasp for what I'm talking about."

 

[Mathletic]

For those of you who remember Jeff a Carter in his junior days, how do the two compare?

best I can do

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/jeff_carter/

 

[Mathletic]

Was looking up at past HF profiles. Thought the Jamie Benn profile fit well for Mantha.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/jamie_benn/

 

[Stephen23]

Mantha is not the most 'take charge' type of player but will be an ideal Red Wing. He is VERY solid defensively and already has an NHL frame. He is also usually in the right place at the right time to pot in goals. I feel like he held back in the Halifax series as a whole as he was somewhat "underwhelming" in terms of not being overly flashy. But he excelled in other aspects and garnered the points. He will be a solid player in Detroit's system no doubt. He is not NHL ready yet however. I would still give him another year or two to develop.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Mantha is not the most 'take charge' type of player but will be an ideal Red Wing. He is VERY solid defensively and already has an NHL frame. He is also usually in the right place at the right time to pot in goals. I feel like he held back in the Halifax series as a whole as he was somewhat "underwhelming" in terms of not being overly flashy. But he excelled in other aspects and garnered the points. He will be a solid player in Detroit's system no doubt. He is not NHL ready yet however. I would still give him another year or two to develop.

He will never be a flashy player though, thats not his game. You're more likely to forget he was even playing until you look at the box score and see his name under the goal category.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Mantha is not the most 'take charge' type of player but will be an ideal Red Wing. He is VERY solid defensively and already has an NHL frame. He is also usually in the right place at the right time to pot in goals. I feel like he held back in the Halifax series as a whole as he was somewhat "underwhelming" in terms of not being overly flashy. But he excelled in other aspects and garnered the points. He will be a solid player in Detroit's system no doubt. He is not NHL ready yet however. I would still give him another year or two to develop.

The great thing is Detroit's specialty is AHL development. A year in GR will be good for Mantha.

 

[WingsInRed]

2 Goals 1 assist tonight, including GWG. 1st star of game and VDO up 2-1 in series.

 

[Mathletic]

2 Goals 1 assist tonight, including GWG. 1st star of game and VDO up 2-1 in series.

and Mike Babcock in attendance

 

[WingsInRed]

and Mike Babcock in attendance

That's good news. I saw somewhere that he was going out to watch some of the CHL playoff games and when I saw he had 2 goals I was hoping Babcock was there to see it.

 

[Mantha Poodoo]

Still rocking GPG in the playoffs so far, 20 in 20.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Any chance Mantha bucks the Detroit trend and goes straight to the NHL? Would it be better for him to play a year in Grand Rapids?

 

[FlashyG]

Any chance Mantha bucks the Detroit trend and goes straight to the NHL? Would it be better for him to play a year in Grand Rapids?

It's not completely out of the question, but he'll likely spend at least half the year in Grand Rapids.

Best case scenario for him is getting a call-up when someone gets hurt and stealing himself a job.

It all depends on how well he transitions to the pro level

 

[Laser Rayzor]

Any chance Mantha bucks the Detroit trend and goes straight to the NHL? Would it be better for him to play a year in Grand Rapids?

It's possible, Holland says if Mantha beats a vet he'll get a spot on the team but Wings fans know from past experience being a top 9-12 forward coming out of camp/preseason doesn't mean jack **** (see Nyquist). So I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[BStinson]

It's possible, Holland says if Mantha beats a vet he'll get a spot on the team but Wings fans know from past experience being a top 9-12 forward coming out of camp/preseason doesn't mean jack **** (see Nyquist). So I'll believe it when I see it.

However Babcock loves him some large Canadians! I think it's a 50% chance he makes the team out of camp but if he doesn't I would be mad as he could still work on his 200ft game.

 

[Mount Suribachi]

However Babcock loves him some large Canadians! I think it's a 50% chance he makes the team out of camp but if he doesn't I would be mad as he could still work on his 200ft game.

I agree, I think it's 50/50 where he ends up. One thing is for sure, KH and Babs haven't talked up a prospect like this ever.

 

[Ohashi_Jouzu*]

However Babcock loves him some large Canadians! I think it's a 50% chance he makes the team out of camp but if he doesn't I would be mad as he could still work on his 200ft game.

You know, he's big enough and skilled enough to make the jump, I have no doubt. It's not even the "quality" of his 200 ft game, though, it's that the demanded pace and intensity of play at the NHL level is miles above what he has played to this year. Hasn't affected his scoring success, but might affect the kind of role he'd be able to carve for himself if thrown right onto Detroit's roster without committing to a more balls-out every shift, in every zone approach.

 

[Gorgeous George]

Any chance Mantha bucks the Detroit trend and goes straight to the NHL? Would it be better for him to play a year in Grand Rapids?

I cannot see Mantha sticking with the club next year.

I think Babcock and the Detroit management team will have Mantha stick with the club for the first few games, and then an injury call-up for a few games during the year.

Considering Detroit will pillage Bert, Cleary, and Samuelsson next year it seems to make the idea of Mantha making the team more palpable. Current injuries and potential retirement of Alfredsson only stirs the pot. However, the success of the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2013 and the transition of emerging players like Tatar, Nquist, Jurco, and Sheahan provides a solid mix of youth with veteran going forward next year.

Pulkkinen and Ferraro should also get exposure next year. Detroit runs a tight, but fair, system. If you play hard and produce, you get a shot.

Unless Mantha can be an impact top 6 player starting next year, and produce consistently, he will remain in the development stream. Why burn a year of eligibility and go against the grain of an established development system?

Mantha will be a top line 70-80 pt player during his prime. No need to rush this.

 

[Canuck71*]

79 goals in 77 games this year, Jesus.

 

[SimplySolace]

http://www.rds.ca/vidéos/drakkar-4-foreurs-3-prol-3.973280

Highlights from tonight.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Mantha will be a top line 70-80 pt player during his prime. No need to rush this.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but Datsyuk and Z have each recorded exactly 5 x 70pt+ seasons in their illustrious careers. My point being, so many people just throw around 'player x' will be a 70-80pt player in their career when the fact is very few players ever get to that point. Mantha has as good of potential as any NHL prospect right now, but nothing is a certainty and there is always a chance he becomes a Franzen type of player instead of an annual PPG player.

For the record I believe he will become the caliber of player that you described providing the Wings have other young stars that blossom, I was just pointing out nothing is a given.

 

[boredmale]

Mantha to me seems like a guy whose stats will depend on who is feeding him the puck(ie he could play the exact same way and get 60 points on one team and 90 on another)

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Man. A lot of the goals he scores look easy and not very flashy, but it's because his reach is so ridiculous. He barely has to deke on junior goalies because they just can't get there in time. When you have that reach and that kind of speed, junior hockey is on easy mode.

 

[Petes2424]

The great thing is Detroit's specialty is AHL development. A year in GR will be good for Mantha.

He won't be spending much time in Grand Rapids. Numbers might keep him there for a period next season but he's the type of guy who's game is going to translate to the NHL level sooner than not and Detroit has problems scoring. He'll get every opportunity.

 

[Petes2424]

Man. A lot of the goals he scores look easy and not very flashy, but it's because his reach is so ridiculous. He barely has to deke on junior goalies because they just can't get there in time. When you have that reach and that kind of speed, junior hockey is on easy mode.

Generally so will be the AHL. Mantha finds openings in lanes. Much like Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille did. When you have that feel on the ice and you can finish, you're three steps ahead of the next guy. That, his play in his own zone and his physical maturity gives him a fast track to the NHL.

 

[WesNichols14]

Ok so I was just thinking about this for a few minutes and figured I would toss it out there.
If you were Detroit, and you knew he wouldn't be bad in Detroit, would you prefer Mantha play in Detroit next year and have Drouin as primary competition for the Calder.... Or play in Grand Rapids for a year and improve even more and adjust to a mens league but have to face off against Mcdavid and Eichel? Who will undoubtedly go straight to the NHL.