Toggle sidebar

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

  • Xenforo Cloud has upgraded us to version 2.3.6. Please report any issues you experience.
  • We are currently aware of "log in/security error" issues that are affecting some users. We apologize and ask for your patience as we try to get these issues fixed.
CELfeenUgAA7taM.png

http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/st...uccess-bodes-well-for-red-wings-future-050415

Wings call out Mantha in the press
 
Ouch. The little I have seen of Grand Rapids this year Mantha seems to be a bit of a floater. But somebody else who has seen more Grand Rapids probably has better insight than me.
 
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.
 
Its fine, not like Detroit will bring him up for another 3 years :P
 
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.
 
kwickly said:
Ouch. The little I have seen of Grand Rapids this year Mantha seems to be a bit of a floater. But somebody else who has seen more Grand Rapids probably has better insight than me.
Click to expand...

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.
 
DanZ said:
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.
Click to expand...

The leg break didn't help but it also doesn't explain his lack of engagement.
 
Rzombo4 prez said:
The leg break didn't help but it also doesn't explain his lack of engagement.
Click to expand...

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@*
 
Rzombo4 prez said:
The leg break didn't help but it also doesn't explain his lack of engagement.
Click to expand...

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.
 
kwickly said:
Ouch. The little I have seen of Grand Rapids this year Mantha seems to be a bit of a floater. But somebody else who has seen more Grand Rapids probably has better insight than me.
Click to expand...

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 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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!
 
Rzombo4 prez said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Claypool said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
SergeConstantin74 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
It's really annoying the kind of hype we saw around Mantha all year, only to now be reduced to scorn.

He's a solid prospect, but people make things worse by expecting the impossible. Can't believe THN rated him as high as they did.
 
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.
 
Fantomas said:
It's really annoying the kind of hype we saw around Mantha all year, only to now be reduced to scorn.

He's a solid prospect, but people make things worse by expecting the impossible. Can't believe THN rated him as high as they did.
Click to expand...

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.
 
SergeConstantin74 said:
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!
Click to expand...
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Ad

Top Bottom