Golden Knights top-6 forward has been linked to the Montreal Canadiens

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Elias Edmonson
May 25, 2024 (1:49 PM)

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A new well-known name has just been linked to Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens, a name that would go very well with Kirby Dach.

At the last trade deadline, the Vegas Golden Knights not only managed to acquire Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl but also Anthony Mantha.

Mantha, however, turned out to be a disappointment in the playoffs, playing only three of the Knights' seven games and not recording any points.

With this kind of performance when it counted, it is uncertain whether GM Kelly McCrimmon will offer a new contract to the now 29-year-old forward. Therefore, he will likely be free to offer his services to all NHL teams on July 1. It did not take much more to link the Canadiens to the native of Montreal's South Shore!

Anthony Mantha linked to Kent Hughes, Kirby Dach, and the Montreal Canadiens

According to Bob Trask of the site Recrutes, Mantha could very well be an excellent fit for the Canadiens.

The columnist wonders if Mantha could help the Montreal club? Trask bases this on the fact that the forward is good in certain areas that Kent Hughes might be tempted to improve. We're talking here about his speed, his shot, and especially the fact that he has experience in the league.

«The 6'5 forward would bring indispensable size to the forward lineup and, as a bonus, is originally from Longueuil, Quebec. NHL Edge provides an overview of the qualities he brings to a team. His top skating speed is in the 74th percentile, and he ranks even higher for speed accelerations over 20 and 22 mph. His skating distance every 60 minutes is in the 67th percentile, so he does much more than just stand there. Mantha's maximum shot speed is 96 mph, which places him in the 82nd percentile. He also ranks in the 69th percentile for shots from high-danger zones, and his shooting percentage from all spots on the ice is in the 99th percentile.» - Bob Trask

However, Trask's analysis does not mention team play, his defensive play, or his efforts on the ice but only individual play. He also does not mention the player's salary demands, which could scare Kent Hughes.

«Another caveat is that he will seek a long-term contract and is unlikely to be cheap � AFP Analytics predicts this contract will last three years and cost $4.4 million per year. He will be 30 at the start of the season, which may not seem like the ideal time for the Canadiens, but a three-year contract could match the timeline for this year's first-round pick to replace him at its expiration.» - Bob Trask

In 74 games this season with the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights, he accumulated 44 points, including 24 goals. Had he been with the Canadiens, he would have ranked third in the club's scoring behind Suzuki (33) and Caufield (28).

Notably, Mantha, despite the criticism, managed to score 20 goals in 56 games with the Capitals. However, this team finished 28th in the league in goals scored last season. This proves he can still be useful to an NHL team.

Via DLC - Anthony Mantha comblerait des besoins chez le Canadien de Montréal