Two days ago, the NHL Network twitter account teased an Anthony Mantha signing by the Penguins. As the day went on nothing else tangible seemed to come of it. Was this going to be another Johan Larsson situation, where a signing gets reported and then you never hear about it ever again? Nope, the Penguins finally signed Mantha to a one-year contract.
The base value of the contract is 2.5M with the opportunity for Mantha to earn an additional 2M through performance bonuses. I really like this signing quite a bit for a couple of reasons.
The first being that Mantha is coming off of an ACL injury that cost him all but 13 games last season. The Penguins are providing him a low stress opportunity to showcase his ability to bounce back from the injury. This is why the base salary is only 2.5M and the term is only for one-year. This works for both team and player. Mantha has an opportunity to make additional money and a likely chance of getting traded to a contender at the deadline. The Penguins can collect more futures. This is mutually beneficial.
This signing also provides some top six insurance for any potential Bryan Rust and/or Rickard Rakell trades. Somebody has to play with Sidney Crosby and Anthony Mantha has a pretty decent track record of performing, when he is healthy.
All in all, this is the perfect type of signing the Penguins should be making right now. Somebody who has something to prove and getting the chance to go do it on a short term deal and a very reasonable AAV. The Penguins maintain their long term roster flexibility and stand to gain in the short term, as does Mantha. A win-win for both team and player.
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Nice pickup
Pretty good piece of business in my opinion.
If AM gets back on track, you can have a winger for Geno and some PP potency.
If all goes well, he has a decent season and re-signs a multiyear deal to help turn the corner around. 2026-28.
If all goes perfectly, you swing him at the trade deadline for picks or prospects.
I think he’s a got a great year in him. Unfulfilled potential that will eventually come out. Hopefully it is this year and the Pens reap the benefits one way or another.