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

[Dotter]

Last thing I noticed is that Mantha is playing for that team too. He's allowed to score goals.


Personally I have nothing against the kid and who knows what happens in the future. Its just the stuff from fans who always find reasons why somebody isnt performing. Lets admit, most expected a lot more last season too.

It isn't just seven games though. He also only had 33 in 62 games last season. Had 4 points in 16 playoff game as well.

No i remember both being used particularly toward the end of the year when they were playing the marlies in the playoffs.

Depends what you consider a bust. Will he fall short of making the NHL? Hard to say. Will he be a top line scoring winger likes Wings fans were screaming he would be? Seems unlikely at this point.

I don't think he'll bust but I think the expectations need to be dialed back big time. That huge season he had in junior is likely a bit of an anomaly

I've watched him play in the AHL, he is good. You can look at the scoresheet like you guys are doing and think he underperforming. He's had some nice chances and has created some great plays that his teammates whiffed on.

He was awesome in Red Wings pre-season. It's amazing how good he looked with Larkin. Then again, Larkin can probably make anyone look good.

I think Mantha is going to be fine. And I don't think watching scoresheets on the internet is the best way to judge prospects.

 

[KGL]

I've watched him play in the AHL, he is good. You can look at the scoresheet like you guys are doing and think he underperforming. He's had some nice chances and has created some great plays that his teammates whiffed on.

He was awesome in Red Wings pre-season. It's amazing how good he looked with Larkin. Then again, Larkin can probably make anyone look good.

I think Mantha is going to be fine. And I don't think watching scoresheets on the internet is the best way to judge prospects.

Don't pretend like you watch every other teams' AHL affiliates play. I guarantee you don't. Also guarantee you've made comments about other teams prospects when only seeing stats. Fact of the matter is he isn't producing at a professional level and it isn't just an issue after 7 games, like I said, it was an issue last season as well. Sure he might look good but if he can't produce at the AHL level, there's no way he'll be able to produce at the NHL level. Maybe he'll make a nice bottom 6 player.

 

[Dotter]

Don't pretend like you watch every other teams' AHL affiliates play. I guarantee you don't. Also guarantee you've made comments about other teams prospects when only seeing stats. Fact of the matter is he isn't producing at a professional level and it isn't just an issue after 7 games, like I said, it was an issue last season as well. Sure he might look good but if he can't produce at the AHL level, there's no way he'll be able to produce at the NHL level. Maybe he'll make a nice bottom 6 player.

Your post comes off very bitter. If he makes a nice bottom 6 player, then I would hope this means Detroit is STACKED with elite franchise top 6 scorers.

Mantha had a sick pre-season playing against NHL players. Should we all just discount that since it doesn't seem to fit your agenda?

 

[Semantics]

ITT: A whole lot of denial. He just doesn't look like an NHL top 6 talent.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Don't pretend like you watch every other teams' AHL affiliates play. I guarantee you don't. Also guarantee you've made comments about other teams prospects when only seeing stats. Fact of the matter is he isn't producing at a professional level and it isn't just an issue after 7 games, like I said, it was an issue last season as well. Sure he might look good but if he can't produce at the AHL level, there's no way he'll be able to produce at the NHL level. Maybe he'll make a nice bottom 6 player.

When the entire team isn't producing at a professional level (except, believe it or not, Ryan "huge bust" Sproul) there may be other things at play than just the individual. Hot/cold streaks at the very start of the season always makes people overreact. Getzlaf has 1 point in 8 games and Perry 4 in 12 and only a fool thinks they and that team won't bounce back. Mantha doesn't get the benefit of the doubt because he struggled last year, but the same reasoning applies. Griffins/Mantha are much better than the numbers indicate right now.

ITT: A whole lot of denial. He just doesn't look like an NHL top 6 talent.

He certainly does look like it. Now he needs to start producing like it.

 

[newfy]

ITT: A whole lot of denial. He just doesn't look like an NHL top 6 talent.

Last year he got ripped plenty on the Detroit board by lots of people who watch him actually play. This year he had a great preseason and even though he isnt scoring, he isnt getting ripped for his play. Because the people who actually watch the games think he looks good, likely Grand Rapids best forward so far. And the fact that even when he hasnt been scoring still has people noticing him is an improvement in itself because he has always been so one dimensional.

Its kind of like Kadri right now with the Leafs. Really snake bitten but actually playing some of the best hockey hes played. Would you be more encouraged by a more productive Kadri last year or a better version this year that just hasnt produced yet because hes snake bitten? In the end it will balance out. At some point Mantha does need to start producing but theres obviously something going on with that team right now and with how Mantha has played in the preseason and now, Wings fans are pretty happy with his progress

Could he bust? Definitely. But hes always been a late bloomer and the eye test doesnt match the scoresheet right now. Someone said hes averaging 3 shots a game right now (not sure if thats definitive) but eventually those will start going in. The ability to score goals is the least of his worries

 

[Claypool]

ITT: A whole lot of denial. He just doesn't look like an NHL top 6 talent.

Get tired of the Larkin threads?

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

It must be a coincidence that everybody on Grand Rapids has become a bust at the same time. Including 4-5 players who were excellent in the preseason. But I guess that's just how it happens. They know the rules, just like everybody else: if you don't put up the numbers, you're a bust.

Nah. Leafs fans are just salty because they lost the Larkin/Nylander argument. Now they're picking on whoever they can find.

 

[Semantics]

Nah. Leafs fans are just salty because they lost the Larkin/Nylander argument. Now they're picking on whoever they can find.

Lol wut? I predicted before the season that Larkin would have as good a chance at the Calder as Eichel, and was absolutely ridiculed for that, but look where we are now.

 

[Dotter]

Pleas lets not bring Nylander in this. There's already 697 threads about him playing in the AHL instead of the NHL. We don't need another.

Mantha hasn't proven anything yet, he could be a bust. But he ain't playing like a bust. Same could be said for Nylander since he can't crack the NHL.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Lol wut? I predicted before the season that Larkin would have as good a chance at the Calder as Eichel, and was absolutely ridiculed for that, but look where we are now.

Yeah I don't see why Larkin/Nylander had to be brought into this thread, seems overly defensive by some of my fellow Wings fans.

 

[Birko19]

Seeing how Mantha performed in the pre-season, I'm actually convinced that he has top-6 potential.

 

[KGL]

Your post comes off very bitter. If he makes a nice bottom 6 player, then I would hope this means Detroit is STACKED with elite franchise top 6 scorers.

Mantha had a sick pre-season playing against NHL players. Should we all just discount that since it doesn't seem to fit your agenda?

And your post comes off as being in denial. Pre-season is one thing, the other team isn't always an NHL team, even if they're wearing NHL jerseys. Fact of the matter is pre-season means nothing, AHL games do and in AHL games, this season and last, Mantha has not produced. How do you expect him to be a top 6 NHL player when he can't even put up points in the AHL?

 

[Dotter]

It sucks now knowing that Mantha has officially been deemed a bust and won't ever be anything of significance in the NHL.

But I am thankful for HF and fans of other teams who never watched him play in the AHL to educate me the fate of Mantha's future, just by simply stat watching.

 

[KGL]

It sucks now knowing that Mantha has officially been deemed a bust and won't ever be anything of significance in the NHL.

But I am thankful for HF and fans of other teams who never watched him play in the AHL to educate me the fate of Mantha's future, just by simply stat watching.

Show me where I said he was a bust or cut the hyperbole.

PS: I guess since you're so adamantly against stat watching I can trust you'll never been providing your opinion on Marlies players. I'm glad to hear it.

 

[Pi]

It sucks now knowing that Mantha has officially been deemed a bust and won't ever be anything of significance in the NHL.

But I am thankful for HF and fans of other teams who never watched him play in the AHL to educate me the fate of Mantha's future, just by simply stat watching.

He could bust, but isn't a bust just yet. He was drafted for his goal scoring ability and if he can't do that in the AHL, there is very little chance he can do it in the NHL.

He can turn into a nice 3rd line option for the Wings like Joe Colborne for the Flames.

 

[Dotter]

Show me where I said he was a bust or cut the hyperbole.

PS: I guess since you're so adamantly against stat watching I can trust you'll never been providing your opinion on Marlies players. I'm glad to hear it.

if he can't produce at the AHL level, there's no way he'll be able to produce at the NHL level.

Sounds like his fate has already been decided by a random fan of another team who never watched him play, and refuses to watch the preseason video above showcasing his talents against NHL talent, which obviously doesn't fit one's agenda when trying to rip on Red Wings prospects.

Preseason sample size is small. So is 7 games to start the season with a new AHL coach trying to incorporate a new system. But lets forget all that and use last year when he still scored at over a .5 PPG pace after returning from a broken right tibia, never playing with said new line mates/coach, and was his first pro-season.

Let us all just forget all that nonsense and use that 7 game sample size that you are trying so desperately to cling on to!

 

[KGL]

Sounds like his fate has already been decided by a random fan of another team who never watched him play, and refuses to watch the preseason video above showcasing his talents against NHL talent, which obviously doesn't fit one's agenda when trying to rip on Red Wings prospects.

Preseason sample size is small. So is 7 games to start the season with a new AHL coach trying to incorporate a new system. But lets forget all that and use last year when he still scored at over a .5 PPG pace after returning from a broken right tibia, never playing with said new line mates/coach, and was his first pro-season.

Let us all just forget all that nonsense and use that 7 game sample size that you are trying so desperately to cling on to!

Yes, IF he can't produce at the AHL level. IF, being an important word. So far he hasn't, that can change.

Once again, pre season isn't against NHL players exclusively. Not sure how that is so difficult to understand.

Also, once again, not just a seven game sample size, last season he didn't put up very many points either. Excuses, excuses, excuses, that's all I'm seeing here. Fact of the matter is he was drafted for scoring, he isn't providing that. Enjoy living in a fantasy land where he's still a guaranteed top line offensive 50 goal scoring NHLer though.

 

[lawrence]

It sucks now knowing that Mantha has officially been deemed a bust and won't ever be anything of significance in the NHL.

But I am thankful for HF and fans of other teams who never watched him play in the AHL to educate me the fate of Mantha's future, just by simply stat watching.

This place is full of stats scout, and I know your pain, this is comin from a virtannen fan, so I know your what your going through, just ignore those clowns, you'll be fine.

 

[WTFMAN99]

It must be a coincidence that everybody on Grand Rapids has become a bust at the same time. Including 4-5 players who were excellent in the preseason. But I guess that's just how it happens. They know the rules, just like everybody else: if you don't put up the numbers, you're a bust.

Nah. Leafs fans are just salty because they lost the Larkin/Nylander argument. Now they're picking on whoever they can find.

Why are you bringing up Nylander in a Mantha thread? Better yet, did both Nylander and Larkin's career end yesterday? I didn't realize it was said and done.

Anyways...on to a more intelligent topic...you know...Mantha...in the Mantha thread. Stat line doesn't look pretty for him, and watching Mantha in the 1st round last year against the Marlies, wasn't overly impressed.

What is going on with him? Legit question to you Wing fans. Bounces not going his way? Struggling because he's not biggerand older/more experienced then the competition he faced in the Q?

I think he's gone from way overrated but now he might be getting a little underrated and people are piling on him at this point.

 

[Fear]

Mantha is a late first round talent looking like a late first round talent. Middle sixer in the NHL, I wouldn't call that a bust.

He was 6'5'' and the oldest player in his draft class, obviously the junior numbers were overinflated

 

[TheRatPoisoner]

I think it's perfectly fair to say Mantha has been a bit of a disappointment, especially considering Wing's management thought he'd be competing for a roster spot last season. I think calling him a bust might be premature though -- he looked good in preseason as some people have mentioned. No idea how he's looked with the Griffins so far given I don't follow them. Maybe someone who's seen him there this season can weigh in on that?

 

[DanZ]

And your post comes off as being in denial. Pre-season is one thing, the other team isn't always an NHL team, even if they're wearing NHL jerseys. Fact of the matter is pre-season means nothing, AHL games do and in AHL games, this season and last, Mantha has not produced. How do you expect him to be a top 6 NHL player when he can't even put up points in the AHL?

NHL preseason is tougher competition than the AHL in my opinion. Better players at least.

 

[KGL]

NHL preseason is tougher competition than the AHL in my opinion. Better players at least.

Not by much. Pre-season means nothing. Anton Lander had the same amount of points as Mantha in the pre-season (in one extra game albeit) and he has 0 points in 13 NHL games.

If Wings fans want to hold onto some hope because of five pre-season games though, go ahead.

 

[DanZ]

Not by much. Pre-season means nothing. Anton Lander had the same amount of points as Mantha in the pre-season (in one extra game albeit) and he has 0 points in 13 NHL games.

If Wings fans want to hold onto some hope because of five pre-season games though, go ahead.

It means nothing compared to the NHL, but not compared to the AHL.