One week after he signed, here are the possible reasons why the CH let Mantha slip away

William Simoneau
One week after he signed, here are the possible reasons why the CH let Mantha slip away
Credit: Capture d'écran/Twitter

While many Montreal Canadiens fans were hoping to see Anthony Mantha join the team at the Bell Centre, Kent Hughes and his staff ultimately decided not to make a move.

The big Quebec forward recently signed a two-year contract worth an average of $4.75 million per year with the New Jersey Devils, a deal that surprised many observers.

Especially in Montreal, where the need to add a big, goal-scoring right winger is obvious.

At 6 feet 5 inches and 240 pounds, Mantha has a profile that's hard to find in the NHL.

Last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he tallied 33 goals and 64 points, proving that he can still produce offensively when he's healthy.

Many therefore believed that the main obstacle was his salary demands or the length of the contract. However, according to Mantha himself, discussions with the Habs were very real.

“There was interest on both sides, but when it came time to talk about years and numbers, they never made an offer,” Mantha explained to La Presse.

The forward reportedly even waited for a final response from Montreal before making a decision, but Kent Hughes never called back.

This situation raises several questions. Does management believe a better player will become available later?

Have Mantha's injuries and inconsistency cooled the front office's enthusiasm?

Or is Hughes simply keeping his options open for a bigger trade?

The Canadiens still have room under the salary cap, and several needs remain to be addressed: a top-tier forward, a right-handed top-four defenseman, and more physicality in the lineup.

Patience has always been at the heart of Hughes and Jeff Gorton's rebuilding plan. However, after several seasons of waiting, some fans are starting to lose patience.

If Montreal starts the season without adding significant offensive reinforcement, the pressure on management could quickly mount.

For now, the Mantha situation serves as a reminder of one thing above all: the Canadiens had an opportunity to add a major piece… and they chose to pass on it.


In a flash

– Major trade in the NBA!

– A true inspiration in the world of baseball.

– Rory McIlroy is having a tough day.

– Trey Day is on fire on the mound.

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