I think he needs a pro-level coach who's going to bench him if he doesn't play the right way. Junior level coaches can't really do that because he's destroying the scoresheet and if often the reason his team wins.
LW Anthony Mantha - Val d'Or, QMJHL (2013, 20th overall, Detroit)
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FissionFire
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Well their team isn't all that great defensively or in the net but from most accounts I've read they have a very good team offense. Mantha is a big part of it but he's got plenty of help too offensively. As a team they've scored 66 goals, 2nd most in the Q. They've also allowed 56 goals, 3rd most in the Q. They've got 5 players in the top 20 scorers in the Q, 3 in the top 10. I'm not really familiar with their style of play or anything but they look like a run-and-gun team who just tries to outscore other teams rather than shut them down defensively.
JackSlater
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- Apr 27, 2010
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Yeah, Mantha was the main difference tonight even though he was mostly unengaged. He did little physically even when it would have been beneficial and floated around the red line a fair amount. To his credit, he looked decent on the PK. He did capitalize on his chances though and directly produced three of the goals, so you can't complain too much.
I wouldn't say they have a very good offense (outside of Mantha). Marcotte is a fine complementary player on a good team. They're getting good hockey from Gélinas and Gazzola but without Mantha they're a bottom third team. They have some very good young players in Aubé-Kubel, Gauthier, Henley and a couple others but right now Val d'Or is riding on Mantha more than anything though I'll admit that they're playing better and better as a team.
Honestly they're playing good defensive hockey for the most part. Their goaltending has just been awful. Tremblay isn't living up to expectations. Bouchard isn't Q-quality either. They're a puck possession team for the most part. They have one of the lowest shots allowed total in the league as well.
Mantha has points on half his team's goals, not to mention he's on the ice for a good portion of other goals he's not getting credit for. I couldn't catch any of his maritimes games but on most nights, he creates a lot of chances for his teammates but they just can't finish. Also, he plays a sniper's game. Most people don't like it as at times they simply won't notice him during a game. People will prefer the hard nosed less productive in your face kind of player but I don't. At some point the floating thing is just becoming a self fulfilling prophecy with Mantha. People are looking for him to not float at any time during a game when it's just normal behavior. Huberdeau was the ultimate floater in his last 2 seasons in the Q yet he's doing well in the NHL. Same for Saad and a bunch of others.
scoutman1
Twitter - scoutman33
- Feb 19, 2005
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I wouldn't put Mantha in the same category as Huberdeau for talent....Mantha is a great skater with good size and a good shot, he has A LOT of holes in his game still, Huberdeau might not have been the best defensive forward on the ice but he was the most exciting player on the ice at all times and created amazing plays out of nothing, Mantha can not do that yet, he is still inconsistent and he still has to use his size.
I agree that Huberdeau has more talent. I was tossing Huberdeau's name up in the sense that it's not because a player will float at times in junior that he can't become a good NHLer. Last year all I heard was how much Huberdeau didn't care in Saint John with a not so-good team when he should have been in the NHL minus the lockout.
We heard the same about Saad not too long ago, even going back to Mario Lemieux (not comparing Mantha Lemieux). Talented players, especially ones with good frames, often get the floater tag easily and get criticized much more so than they should.
Also, I agree that Mantha has holes in his games. But, he has great attributes as well. The only way for him to be a regular in the NHL is by scoring goals. There have been many greats who didn't have the most complete game like Hull, Andreychuk and who have you but they could all do that one thing great and that's to score goals.
I'm not here to say that offense is the be-all and end-all in the game but goal scoring comes at a premium in the NHL. In the last full NHL regular season only 4 players scored more than 40 goals. I understand Mantha has to play a more complete game, and I think he has taken a step in that direction. But, I think his overall deficiencies are largely overblown compared to what he can bring to a team.
Also, as for the consistency. I mean, the kid has scored something like 80 goals in his last 90 games. I understand what people mean by that he's inconsistent. But I think they should also understand that he doesn't play the game like Sidney Crosby and other puck possession kids. There's not only one way to be a useful hockey players. In a team you'll need the defensive guys to kill penalties and handle defensive minutes. You'll need your playmakers and puck possession guys but it's also good to have finishers. Mantha might not be great at any of the other stuff but he sure knows how to score goals. I mean I've seen him score some crazy one-timers through traffic. It's not like it's happening by pure luck either. Of course, on some nights you just won't hear his name because there weren't any openings.
Highlights of todays game:
www.capebretoneagles.com/video/index/id/5bfd845315d0c29b2103afc435fd96c1
start around 0:50
www.capebretoneagles.com/video/index/id/5bfd845315d0c29b2103afc435fd96c1
start around 0:50
Keeping up a goal per game and two ppg pace over an entire season would be a pretty good year for Mantha, 3ppg just wasn't going to happen.
Franck
eltiT resU motsuC
I think you're dead on- I saw a lot of Saad in junior and was astonished at how far he dropped. Sometimes the pressure and expectations on a kid with a great pro frame get completely hijacked by the idea that they should play like Lemieux or Lindros- when there's a really good reason why generational players only come along... once in a generation.
Saad might never be Peter Forsberg but he's the perfect complementary guy on a top line- and that kid probably actually hurt his draft stock by playing through injuries his draft year. He didn't put up huge numbers but he showed a lot of heart.
Mantha will never be Mario Lemieux- but there's a good chance that his combination of size, speed and scoring makes him an NHL player.
trying to catch some of Val d'Or and Baie-Comeau games tonight. Val d'Or playing some terrible hockey defensively. Breakdown after breakdown here in the 2nd period. Val d'Or getting back in it with a PP goal, assist to Mantha on the play.
Would this be a good move for him? They seem to be a better team. Offensive, too. They've scored even more goals than Val D'Or, which is a truckload.
What would they give up? Seems like BC would have to give up a lot.
Would be a great move for him. Baie-Comeau is a strong team defensively, great 2-way forwards and good offensive guys as well. He'd simply be asked to play his game and not control the whole game. Baie-Comeau also plays a strong puck posession game a very good defensive scheme, so he won't get by by not playing hard that's for sure. They have some great guys in the locker room in Chênevert and a few others. Would be a great fit imo. He could be deadly on a line with Gamelin (great vision and skills) and Zykov (great board play and could finish near the net).
If I were Val d'Or all discussions with Baie-Comeau would start with Meloche. Kid has been really good as a 16 year old. Very good offensively for a kid his size, very good vision, shot and confident in his abilities. I'm guessing someone like Ranger would come over as well, some picks and or future considerations.
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WildcatMapleLeafs28
Registered User
What do you think it would take ?
Meloche ,Bokondji Imama, 1st 2014 , 1st 2014 , 2nd 2014 ? Player at the draft ?
It's going to be very steep as Mantha won't be eligible to play in the AHL next season with his late birthday. It's hard to imagine him in the Q next season. Detroit isn't usually a team that rushes prospects...
GoAwayDanCleary
DRWCC
- Aug 6, 2012
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Danault got Victo 2 first round picks, a second and a first euro pick + a young player
Pageau got Gatineau 2 firsts, a second and a young player
Devos was traded for 2 firsts, a second and a young player
I'd expect a bit more for Mantha but I'm guessing it will be along those lines. So maybe we're talking Meloche, a first/second and Pickard/Imama/Ranger. Maybe Baie-Comeau does a great coup getting Mantha without giving up Meloche. I'm not aware of the picks they have but if they have 2 firsts in 2014 like you're saying, maybe 2 firsts a second, Pickard and Imama/Ranger could get it done.
Also, Baie-Comeau is still in next year so maybe they'll want to add a 19 year old d-man who could be back next year like Michael Abbott.
The Zetterberg Era
Ball Hockey Sucks
Yeah, Detroit says this is his last year in junior pretty consistently when they talk about him. Maybe he will be in the NHL, but at worst he will be in the AHL.
Meh, he should be punished, horrible play by him, that kind of stuff won't be acceptable in the pros.
getting good chances offensively though, got robbed by Bélanger on a breakaway
great play there by Mantha, protects the puck along the board, breaks out, draws a penalty, play continues, drives to the net, finds the man open and Marcotte scores, so the best and the worst of Mantha today
great play there by Mantha, protects the puck along the board, breaks out, draws a penalty, play continues, drives to the net, finds the man open and Marcotte scores, so the best and the worst of Mantha today
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