Wings4Life19 150 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 Seeing as how he has a shot to make the show from day 1 this year, id like to hear people's opinion on if that is the best thing for his long term development. If he does make it and then goes into a slump and gets demoted to GR would that hurt his confidence? Would he be better off being the go to guy in GR and probably dominating for most of the year or playing 10-12 minutes a night and scoring 18-22 goals if all goes well? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukianDekes 2,428 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 Start the year in GR and is the first call up for injuries. 7 jthiel86, Number19, krsmith17 and 4 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ekmanc 586 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 He definitely needs to start the season in GR and get used to playing against men. Considering how injury prone we are he will get not one but a couple of chances to be called up during the season and we can evaluate further after that but it wouldn't surprise me if he needs this entire season in the AHL before he's ready. 3 krsmith17, Number19 and kipwinger reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nawein 324 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 I think he should probably play the whole year in GR. Give him a year to round out his defensive game, learn to play against men, and bulk up a bit more. The guy's a stud but he still has work to do. 2 krsmith17 and twopups reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PumpkinEscobar 136 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 Probably spending time in Grand Rapids but I hope if he earns a spot he gets it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,961 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 if he makes the team, its because he deserves to be here. He isn't gonna make the team to be in the bottom 6, so he isn't going to be playing 10-12 minutes a game. If he makes the team it will mean playing 25+ mins. If he doesn't show good enough to make the top 4 minute getters, then he should and will go to GR. If he earns it, he should start and stay here...even if he goes into a slump. All players slump and have fight through it. if you ask me, its looking like its his spot to lose. From all indications he us going to get the longest look if any rookie in years! I like these a top 6, if he makes it: Z - Pav - Mantha Nyquist - Weiss - Franzen (Alfie if he signs) 1 Cloune reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 He won't get 10-12 minutes. Holland already said if he makes the team it will be top 6 minutes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeGraa55 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 I hope he is in GR the whole year then next year hope he is with us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danielsm 244 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 Let Blashill the rookie whisperer deal with him for a while 2 krsmith17 and Z Winged Dangler reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcaractac 3,963 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 Unless he can indisputably steal a top 6 foward's job out of camp (which is very doubtful), he should play the entire year in the AHL. He has a lot of work ahead of him to get his overall game where it needs to be for the pros. 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metalkorn 45 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 No way should he start in Detroit... he has only played Junior. Mackinnon is a class above this kid, numbers don't make a player in the Q - he put up good numbers, but I wouldn't say he is ready. Martin Frk was playing with Mackinnon and was lighting it up for the Moose and then he turned out to be terrible for Grand Rapids and was buried, not sure why anyone expects that Mantha is going to make the team, would be cool to see him play a pre-season game perhaps but even if he scored 3 or 4 goals in a game I still think he owuldn't be with the big club Day 1... it wouldn't be good for him.... we aren't Edmonton. 4 The Secret, krsmith17, marcaractac and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 2nd call up behind Pulkkinen in the AHL. Top 6 minutes there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 GR at the beginning of the regular season. But I think he should be final cut in preseason, give him as much time with NHL's as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyukian-Deke 722 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 Holland trusts Blashill's opinion about when the kids are ready. He will start in GR and I think best case scenario is he plays a couple NHL games this season. I may have to watch more GR games this year. 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 Mantha could be in GR this season, next, and maybe even a third. Obviously I'm not hoping for that, but I bet LGW will wrongly call for his head if he doesn't make it after this year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 I'm surprised so many people are saying that he should spend the whole year in Grand Rapids. I definitely agree, I just thought there were a lot more people here saying he should be given an NHL spot out of camp. My bet is he starts the season down in Grand Rapids, he struggles for the first month - month and a half before he really finds his game, he possibly gets a look when a top 6 guy goes down with an injury, and is sent down after a few mediocre games, he finishes his first pro season with around 60 points in 70 games. He starts the following season, again with Grand Rapids and is leading the league halfway through the season with 50 points in 35 games, he then gets called up and remains with the Wings for the rest of the season, scoring 25 points in 45 games with the Wings... 1 DatsyukianDekes reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 (edited) Yeah I may be tarred and feathered, but will tell you this, trade him and get a young D stud here He needs a team where he will play and get NHL minutes, think it will help him Edited July 6, 2014 by Rivalred Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukianDekes 2,428 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 I'm surprised so many people are saying that he should spend the whole year in Grand Rapids. I definitely agree, I just thought there were a lot more people here saying he should be given an NHL spot out of camp. My bet is he starts the season down in Grand Rapids, he struggles for the first month - month and a half before he really finds his game, he possibly gets a look when a top 6 guy goes down with an injury, and is sent down after a few mediocre games, he finishes his first pro season with around 60 points in 70 games. He starts the following season, again with Grand Rapids and is leading the league halfway through the season with 50 points in 35 games, he then gets called up and remains with the Wings for the rest of the season, scoring 25 points in 45 games with the Wings... I am holding you to this bet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings4thecup06 504 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 I think actually a lot will depend on if Alfie returns or not. If he doesn't come back, then the competition for that top 6 slot will be wide open between him, Pulkkinen and a few others perhaps. Personally, I'd think that it's best for him to spend at least half the year in GR. But I definitely think he'll get a cup of coffee at least this season with the Wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brett 1,029 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 throw him in the big league. hell learn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 I don't see a scenario where Mantha's development is hurt by spending a year in GR. And our team won't really be worse by having Alfie/Jurco on it instead of Mantha, as I assume those 3 pretty much our options for the same roster spot. Looking forward to seeing Mantha in training camp, I have a feeling he could struggle a bit with the transition to the pro game initially but I hope he can prove me wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyukian-Deke 722 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 I think it's very important that this kid gets handed nothing. He needs to earn his spot. I think he needs to start on the 3rd line in GR and prove he can be in the top 6. Then prove he is capable of getting a call up. When he gets called up, he needs to start on the fourth line. The kid has been a hot shot his whole life and although I think he has a great attitude so far, I don't want him handed a spot and turn into a loafing Franzen that is good only when he wants to be. 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nawein 324 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 I think it's very important that this kid gets handed nothing. He needs to earn his spot. I think he needs to start on the 3rd line in GR and prove he can be in the top 6. Then prove he is capable of getting a call up. When he gets called up, he needs to start on the fourth line. The kid has been a hot shot his whole life and although I think he has a great attitude so far, I don't want him handed a spot and turn into a loafing Franzen that is good only when he wants to be. I agree he shouldn't be handed anything. BUT. I think he's already proven he should be top 6 in the AHL. He's not a fourth liner and would be woefully ineffective in that role. He's a scorer, let him score. I get the "overcoming all obstacle makes you better" and stuff but don't set him up to fail and hope he turns out in his favor. He shouldn't be handed anything but he should be put in a position to succeed. 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShanahanMan 473 Report post Posted July 6, 2014 Mantha has apparently been pretty underwhelming at the prospect tournament. Don't know if he's burnt out, or just not into it, but hasn't impressed much. Seems like AA is the star of the show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites