Mantha named CHL player of the year

[dicksmack 33]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/val-dors-mantha-named-chl-player-of-the-year/

81 goals in 81 games... A natural scorer with size and speed! Can't wait to see this kid in a Wings uni!

[MabusIncarnate 5,359]

Great accomplishment, here's hoping for a bright future wearing the winged wheel.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

The kid is such a beast! Despite Kenny's usual protocol regarding prospects, I'm optimistic that we'll see Mantha in a Wings jersey soon. Personally, I'm hoping for next season. But I'll be shocked if Kenny let's him bypass the AHL. My guess is he'll play next season in GR. And if he continues to have success hopefully he'll get to play with the big club the following season.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

The kid is such a beast! Despite Kenny's usual protocol regarding prospects, I'm optimistic that we'll see Mantha in a Wings jersey soon. Personally, I'm hoping for next season. But I'll be shocked if Kenny let's him bypass the AHL. My guess is he'll play next season in GR. And if he continues to have success hopefully he'll get to play with the big club the following season.

Unless we pick up a goal scoring winger I think we'll see him sooner than later. When Holland talks about mantha it isn't the same way he talks about other prospects. My guess is he'll start the year in grand rapids and if he can score a lot there he will be with the wings about 20 games in or as soon as injured players sit

[kipwinger 8,756]

I watched a good amount of the Memorial Cup games, and to be really honest I think this kid needs a year in the AHL. His size, skill, and speed are obvious for the world to see, but when he finally had to face some tough checking he was flummoxed. I genuinely think he'll be really good, but he needs to acclimatize himself to higher quality competition in the AHL. If not he'll get frustrated and get knocked off his game. If it's that easy for Guelph and Edmonton to do it, imagine how he'd suffer against NHL competition. I'd give him a full year in the AHL with the understanding that he'd be the first or second injury call up.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I watched a good amount of the Memorial Cup games, and to be really honest I think this kid needs a year in the AHL. His size, skill, and speed are obvious for the world to see, but when he finally had to face some tough checking he was flummoxed. I genuinely think he'll be really good, but he needs to acclimatize himself to higher quality competition in the AHL. If not he'll get frustrated and get knocked off his game. If it's that easy for Guelph and Edmonton to do it, imagine how he'd suffer against NHL competition. I'd give him a full year in the AHL with the understanding that he'd be the first or second injury call up.

He might need it, but it's worth noting that on Val dOr he was the main threat so the opponents could focus on him, his linemates were nothing special. And he played HUGE minutes, quite possibly there was some fatigue for him towards the end as he had played a lot of games in a fairly short time.

If he makes the Wings he won't play 25 minutes per game and he would probably have guys like Z or Dats to help him out, he wouldn't have to be 'the guy'.

[achildr1 255]

He might need it, but it's worth noting that on Val dOr he was the main threat so the opponents could focus on him, his linemates were nothing special. And he played HUGE minutes, quite possibly there was some fatigue for him towards the end as he had played a lot of games in a fairly short time.

If he makes the Wings he won't play 25 minutes per game and he would probably have guys like Z or Dats to help him out, he wouldn't have to be 'the guy'.

Right.

If the Wings sign a decent forward, Jurco will most likely be in GR along with Pulkkinen. So Mantha wont even have to be "the guy" there...to bad Kenny traded our only decent playmaking center down there. Athaniasiou, i thino, is gonna surprise alot of people in GR too.

[PumpkinEscobar 136]

I wouldn't be surprised if they try Athanasiou at Center

Right.

If the Wings sign a decent forward, Jurco will most likely be in GR along with Pulkkinen. So Mantha wont even have to be "the guy" there...to bad Kenny traded our only decent playmaking center down there. Athaniasiou, i thino, is gonna surprise alot of people in GR too.

they're gonna have a few forward spots open

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

Right.

If the Wings sign a decent forward, Jurco will most likely be in GR along with Pulkkinen. So Mantha wont even have to be "the guy" there...to bad Kenny traded our only decent playmaking center down there. Athaniasiou, i thino, is gonna surprise alot of people in GR too.

can we honestly drop the Jarnkrok stuff in every thread already? he was never going to make the team, it's that simple. As far as mantha goes, the guys he will be playing with will be far and away better then what he had

[rick zombo 3,739]

can we honestly drop the Jarnkrok stuff in every thread already? he was never going to make the team, it's that simple. As far as mantha goes, the guys he will be playing with will be far and away better then what he had

And here I thought he was talking about Emmerton or Nestrasil.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

The kid is such a beast! Despite Kenny's usual protocol regarding prospects, I'm optimistic that we'll see Mantha in a Wings jersey soon. Personally, I'm hoping for next season. But I'll be shocked if Kenny let's him bypass the AHL. My guess is he'll play next season in GR. And if he continues to have success hopefully he'll get to play with the big club the following season.

Holland has said will let him bypass the AHL if he can prove he can play as a top-6 forward, so it's all on Mantha at this point. A couple of recent quotes from Holland:

“He’s going to get a chance to make our team (in 2014-15). He’ll play five or six or seven exhibition games, and if he belongs in the NHL, we’ll put him in.” — Holland (May 2014, Detroit Free Press)

“We’re going to give him every opportunity to make our team in training camp. He’s big, he can score, he’s got tremendous hands and hockey sense. The question is, can he score at next level? We’re going to give him an opportunity to play with our top six in training camp … If he can help us, we want him on our team. I don’t want him on the team as a 13th, 14th forward or on the fourth line playing eight minutes a night, penalty kill. If he can play in our top six with Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen and Nyquist, and contribute, he can play on our team. If not, we can put him in Grand Rapids, do the thing we’ve done through the years — let him learn to be a pro down there.” — Holland (Sportsnet, May 2014)

Edited May 25, 2014 by Greatness=PavelDatsyuk

[hooon 1,089]

This kid is definitely something special. I'm excited to see him play, and I think the GR/RW system is the best possible development system for a player like him.

[achildr1 255]

can we honestly drop the Jarnkrok stuff in every thread already? he was never going to make the team, it's that simple. As far as mantha goes, the guys he will be playing with will be far and away better then what he had

This response has less to do with Jarnkrok and more to do with philosophy...did anyone expect Sheahan to make the team this year? If you asked 100 knowledgable Wings 'experts'...i bet 99 of them would of told you you're out of your mind. Also, and i hope im wrong, but i have a sneaky feeling Sheahan has a sophomore slump, from our expectations of him, next year. And thats where a skilled two-way center like Jarnkrok, just getting called upon, comes in...or would have.

You don't trade talent, on the cheap, just because you think they might not get the chance. Unless the rumours of his unhappiness were true, it was a bad decision.

I havent been around for awhile, so i was unaware it was the only thing people posted about. That said, bad trades live on passionately in sports peoples hearts longer than almost anything other than Championship seasons...so lets hope for the best.

[paulwoodsfan 52]

Not to hijack yet another thread, but . . .

Bernie Federko (cough) Adam Oates (cough).

Now THAT was a terrible trade. Until Jarnkrok actually excels in the NHL for a decent length of time, it's absurd to suggest the Legwand deal was a terrible trade.

[Wings_Toledo 233]

Congrats to Mantha. I hope to see him with the Wings next season but I fully expect that he'll spend the year in Grand Rapids. Those Junior numbers are very impressive.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

Unless we pick up a goal scoring winger I think we'll see him sooner than later. When Holland talks about mantha it isn't the same way he talks about other prospects. My guess is he'll start the year in grand rapids and if he can score a lot there he will be with the wings about 20 games in or as soon as injured players sit

I hope he makes the team out of camp qnd is a Wings rookie that actually is on a level plqying field with other teams rookies to win the Calder trophy. Last one to have a good chance at that was Z.

[Rivalred 630]

Last player we had who scored 50 goals in junior and his last name started with an "M" also

Congrats to Mantha; here is hoping he turns into a big scoring machine to years to come at the NHL level

[DickieDunn 2,571]

A few things to remember.

Success in juniors doesn't guarantee anything in the NHL. Lots of CHL POY were average NHL players or never made it at all.

Holland and Babcock always say there is a chance a kid can make the team. They almost never do. They already have Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Weiss, Nyquist, and Tatar signed plus Jurco and a potential free agent. Add in Helm and you have the top 3 lines without Mantha.

Honestly, I'd be quietly shopping him to see if I could get a young proven high end player.

[Wings_Toledo 233]

Honestly, I'd be quietly shopping him to see if I could get a young proven high end player.

So you'd trade Mantha before he even gets a shot at the professional level? That's just ridiculous.

[Rivalred 630]

So you'd trade Mantha before he even gets a shot at the professional level? That's just ridiculous.

I would window shop or as they do it on the History Channel, "bundle" and "dicker"

Only of we can get a young elite well established offensive defensiveman of course

Edited May 25, 2014 by Rivalred

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Honestly, I'd be quietly shopping him to see if I could get a young proven high end player.

So you'd trade Mantha before he even gets a shot at the professional level? That's just ridiculous.

Yes, I would trade potential for proven high level production every time. If you can get a 24 or 25 year old 30 goal scorer for a fut who might score that much 5 years later do it. That's not ridiculous, it's smart.

[Wings_Toledo 233]

Yes, I would trade potential for proven high level production every time. If you can get a 24 or 25 year old 30 goal scorer for a fut who might score that much 5 years later do it. That's not ridiculous, it's smart.

I understand trading potential but before even seeing what he can do at the AHL level? Not to mention that getting the type of player you're talking about would cost much more than just Mantha. Who knows, Mantha could end up being a bust but I'd like to see him get a chance first before considering trading him away. And with Holland's track record lately, I'm not so sure the return would be that great...

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

A few things to remember.Success in juniors doesn't guarantee anything in the NHL. Lots of CHL POY were average NHL players or never made it at all.Holland and Babcock always say there is a chance a kid can make the team. They almost never do. They already have Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Weiss, Nyquist, and Tatar signed plus Jurco and a potential free agent. Add in Helm and you have the top 3 lines without Mantha.Honestly, I'd be quietly shopping him to see if I could get a young proven high end player.

A lot of teams wanted him at the trade deadline, and Holland refused, why would he trade him now before the season starts?

[under_par_00 45]

FYI as list of previous winners of this award:

• 2013–14 Anthony Mantha, Val-d'Or Foreurs
• 2012–13 Jonathan Drouin, Halifax Mooseheads
• 2011–12 Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City Americans^[1]
• 2010–11 Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
• 2009–10 Jordan Eberle, Regina Pats^[2]
• 2008–09 Cody Hodgson, Brampton Battalion
• 2007–08 Justin Azevedo, Kitchener Rangers
• 2006–07 John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
• 2005–06 Alexander Radulov, Quebec Remparts
• 2004–05 Sidney Crosby, Rimouski Océanic
• 2003–04 Sidney Crosby, Rimouski Océanic
• 2002–03 Corey Locke, Ottawa 67's
• 2001–02 Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
• 2000–01 Simon Gamache, Val-d'Or Foreurs
• 1999–2000 Brad Richards, Rimouski Océanic
• 1998–99 Brian Campbell, Ottawa 67's
• 1997–98 Sergei Varlamov, Swift Current Broncos

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

People want to silently shop Mantha now? wow, thank god your not the GM.

We need scoring, Mantha scores. Forget all this no room for Mantha in the top 9. You do realize once he reaches his full potential, all the other guys named will be trade bait.

People are quick to whine about Jarnkrok being traded, but Mantha should be on the block.

Going to be a long wait until July 1st and these ridiculous proposals.