What's best for Mantha?

[TheXym 2,606]

This isn't the prospect tournament going on, it's a rookie camp. Mantha and Bertuzzi played a lot more games in through the memorial cup playoffs than the other guys, and Mantha was put out for 90 second to 2 minute shifts regularly. I think some of it is residual fatigue from that.

Edited July 6, 2014 by TheXym

[Epheisey 2]

He needs to spend a year with the Griffins, just to help him adjust to a high level of competition mentally. He may be talented enough to play in the big leagues already, but a young player can really start to over think his game when they go through a dry spell. THE WORST thing that could happen is he makes the Wings roster, scores 5 goals in the first 10 games, and then goes on a 15-20 game drought, and ends up back in GR. That could totally screw with his head, and really get him down on himself. A youngster used to scoring multiple times a game, to not being able to score over a span of a month or two could really hurt his confidence. He's never in his life been in a situation like that. He has probably never been on the ice and not been the best player or at least top 3. He needs a little time to get a reality check, just to get his expectations in line, before he ends up drowned by the fans who expect him to be scoring 40-50 goals a season, and can't handle the pressure.

Also, we have so many young players pushing for the NHL roster right now that we're going to see a couple of the youngsters that made an impact last season in GR as well to start the season. Which I think plays a part in him going to GR. Nyquist wasn't with the team to start the season because he had a 2 way contract. Chances are that even if Mantha is borderline capable of making the roster, he'll fall into that same situation.

[krsmith17 7,191]

"Top prospect Anthony Mantha didn't figure in the scoring but he didn't disappoint either. Mantha was one of the speediest - as well as one of the best - on the ice and is also among the biggest at 6-5." - Brendan Savage.

Edited July 6, 2014 by krsmith17

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

He didn't score ten goals.

Trade him.

He's useless.

I'm joking, of course.

But I'd like to see what he does in preseason

Edited July 6, 2014 by jimmyemeryhunter

[Dave 324]

Was Holland this high on Datsyuk and Zetterberg? He's implied he will be building our future forward core around Mantha. Everyone is amazed at this kid. The very fact we are seriously discussing whether he will be given a shot without playing minors says something is different about this kid. I doubt he will be better than our top 6 right now, but as soon as an injury hits give him his chance. He may struggle but with our staff it shouldn't stunt his development to be thrown into the heat of battle. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

I believe Datsyuk was ranked 12th among Detroit's prospects. No one really saw his potential. The fact that he made the team in 2002 was pretty crazy. I think Hull really helped his development and saw his true potential.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

he'll be on the roster before xmas. If Kenny pulls off a deal for a top D then we'll lose a top guy going the other way, so he would be in the line up from the off if that is the case.

[Shinzaki 72]

See what he does in camp...if he can hang in on the top 6....give him the spot. If he can't, he's the man in GR...with Athanasiou and possibly Teemu, Jurco and Nosek.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

I believe Datsyuk was ranked 12th among Detroit's prospects. No one really saw his potential. The fact that he made the team in 2002 was pretty crazy. I think Hull really helped his development and saw his true potential.

Yea this is what makes the Mantha situation so unique. I can't remember there being this much excitement over a prospect before. Datsyuk and Zetterberg were still relatively unknown when they cracked the lineup. Mantha's size, strength, and scoring ability are certainly something to get excited about.

Cue the "just cuz he can score in the Q doesn't mean it translates to the NHL" argument.

[anthonyn66 89]

Side note

Blashill sounds exactly like Babcock in interviews..

[frankgrimes 1,836]

This will be his first year as a pro, so let him experience success in GR and give him the for sure coming call up. Just don't rush the kid and let him develop at his own pace.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

They were pretty excited about both Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Zetterberg was the only non NHL player on Sweden's Olympic team.

[Richdg 267]

Doesn't matter what we think. It is entirely up to Mantha and Holland/Babcock. The later 2 have clearly said he has to earn a spot. Now it is up to Mantha. I think he will earn a spot. 2 reasons: 1. he is that talented 2. we are that thin/weak of a team. We had 1 guy score 20+ goals this year. mantha will do that this year plus. it is the other parts of his game that are the questions: strength, stamina, defense etc....

[Echolalia 2,961]

Doesn't matter what we think. It is entirely up to Mantha and Holland/Babcock. The later 2 have clearly said he has to earn a spot. Now it is up to Mantha. I think he will earn a spot. 2 reasons: 1. he is that talented 2. we are that thin/weak of a team. We had 1 guy score 20+ goals this year. mantha will do that this year plus. it is the other parts of his game that are the questions: strength, stamina, defense etc....

I don't see it happening this year. Dominating in the QMJHL isn't equal to dominating in the AHL, and neither necessarily translate to success in the NHL. The Wings are also saturated with forwards, and I just don't see Babcock and Holland trusting Mantha with a full-time roster spot after observing him for a couple scrimmages over players who have already demonstrated competency at the NHL level throughout the previous season(s).

BUT what is exciting is the potential for this kid is really high. I was looking at the QMJHL stats from last year, and two other names besides Mantha popped out at me. Jonathon Drouin, who actually had a higher ppg than Mantha, but only played in 46 games, and Nikolaj Ehlers, who was the only rookie in the top 20 in scoring, and was actually 4th league-wide with 104 points in 63 games. Drouin was drafted by the Lightning 3rd overall in the 2013 draft. Ehlers was drafed by the Jets 9th overall in 2014. Meanwhile, the Red Wings drafted Mantha 20th overall, and this kid is putting up similar numbers as these other top draft picks whom he's playing against. These other two kids are also under 6 feet, while Mantha is already around 6'5". So if I had to bet on who would be most likely to continue to succeed in bigger and tougher leagues, I would go with Mantha.

[Richdg 267]

I don't see it happening this year. Dominating in the QMJHL isn't equal to dominating in the AHL, and neither necessarily translate to success in the NHL. The Wings are also saturated with forwards, and I just don't see Babcock and Holland trusting Mantha with a full-time roster spot after observing him for a couple scrimmages over players who have already demonstrated competency at the NHL level throughout the previous season(s).

BUT what is exciting is the potential for this kid is really high. I was looking at the QMJHL stats from last year, and two other names besides Mantha popped out at me. Jonathon Drouin, who actually had a higher ppg than Mantha, but only played in 46 games, and Nikolaj Ehlers, who was the only rookie in the top 20 in scoring, and was actually 4th league-wide with 104 points in 63 games. Drouin was drafted by the Lightning 3rd overall in the 2013 draft. Ehlers was drafed by the Jets 9th overall in 2014. Meanwhile, the Red Wings drafted Mantha 20th overall, and this kid is putting up similar numbers as these other top draft picks whom he's playing against. These other two kids are also under 6 feet, while Mantha is already around 6'5". So if I had to bet on who would be most likely to continue to succeed in bigger and tougher leagues, I would go with Mantha.

Agreed about the juniors vs pros thing, but and this is huge: Mantha puts the puck into the net. Our other young forwards are not great goal scorers. None of them have ever been big time goal scorers at any level, which goes back to my talent point. Mantha is head and shoulders more talented than most of our other prospects. But and I said this before: it is up to him to win the job. I think he will.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I don't see it happening this year. Dominating in the QMJHL isn't equal to dominating in the AHL, and neither necessarily translate to success in the NHL. The Wings are also saturated with forwards, and I just don't see Babcock and Holland trusting Mantha with a full-time roster spot after observing him for a couple scrimmages over players who have already demonstrated competency at the NHL level throughout the previous season(s).

BUT what is exciting is the potential for this kid is really high. I was looking at the QMJHL stats from last year, and two other names besides Mantha popped out at me. Jonathon Drouin, who actually had a higher ppg than Mantha, but only played in 46 games, and Nikolaj Ehlers, who was the only rookie in the top 20 in scoring, and was actually 4th league-wide with 104 points in 63 games. Drouin was drafted by the Lightning 3rd overall in the 2013 draft. Ehlers was drafed by the Jets 9th overall in 2014. Meanwhile, the Red Wings drafted Mantha 20th overall, and this kid is putting up similar numbers as these other top draft picks whom he's playing against. These other two kids are also under 6 feet, while Mantha is already around 6'5". So if I had to bet on who would be most likely to continue to succeed in bigger and tougher leagues, I would go with Mantha.

Agreed . There's a lot to be excited about with Mantha but we'll know a lot more when he gets some games in the AHL.

at 6'5" 205 lbs in the QMJHL he was a men among boys, playing with other mostly smaller 18, 19 and 20 year olds.

[krsmith17 7,191]

I think it is VERY unlikely Mantha makes the big club straight out of training camp. I would also be very surprised if he plays more than half a dozen games with the Wings this season. I hope he lights the AHL on fire, with 90+ points in 70 games but I don't see it. Even with all the size and skill he possesses, I see him struggling for the first month or so and finishing the season with a moderate 60 points in 70 games. Still not bad for a first year pro, but I think a lot of people are setting the bar too high for this guy before he even gets a glimpse of pro hockey. But of course, I hope he blows my expectations out of the water.

[joshy207 156]

I think it should completely depend on how Mantha looks in the preseason. If he proves he belongs in our top 6, put him there. If he doesn't, don't. There is a hole in the roster in the top 6. Abdelkader isn't a top 6 forward, Alfredsson isn't signed as of now... so there's a spot available. I think if he shows he truly belongs here but still gets sent down to open the season, that could be just as damaging to his confidence as keeping him here and having him struggle a bit.

[LeftWinger 5,131]

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Mantha (if he wins it, we don't have a legit top 6, so it's open to take!)

Nyquist - Weiss - Alfredsson (I know this is Frazen's spot, but if Alfie re-signs, I prefer him here.)

...dang, we got too many forwards...what do we do with Miller/Abby/Glendening/Andersson/Helm? Not to mention Callahan and Ferraro...sheesh, no wonder we weren't really looking at UFA forward.

[rick zombo 3,739]

What's best for Mantha?

The Calder.

[Dabura 12,232]

If Dan Daniel Danny Cleary returns and Anthony Mantha starts the season in GR, the whole world can go get bent.

[sjr2012 439]

If Dan Daniel Danny Cleary returns and Anthony Mantha starts the season in GR, the whole world can go get bent.

if we don't make a trade and we do resign alfie I can see the team looking exactly the same if alfie retires than it could come down to Jurco,Pulkiken or Mantha depending on what he does In camp and preseason but I doubt he comes up this year baring injuries to everyone I see a couple ahead of him

[Dabura 12,232]

Mantha will spend time as a Wing this season. I think that's an inevitability. It's just a question of when and for how long.

I expect Pulkkinen to get the *short* end of the stick because he's small and his skating isn't great, and because, frankly, he's a key weapon for the Griffins. Mantha's size should help his cause with Babcock.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Dabura

[rick zombo 3,739]

I'd almost rather Mantha spend the year in GRs.

Wait until Babcock moves on, then bring him up next year.

Otherwise, Babs will ruin this kid's offence while trying to make him realgud like his boy Glendenning

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

I feel we are just going around in circles now.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Datsyukian-Deke

[LeftWinger 5,131]

Good point about Babcock...until he is gone, this team is stuck in a rut. Legwand waived his NTC because he wanted to play here, but after what Babcock did to him, he bolted. Babcock is the issue why no good UFA wants to come here...and its no secret why Canada is going in a different direction for their Olympic team next time.