Observations:

September 2017 –  Despite missing the final five games of the season due to a fractured finger, Mantha's rookie season in the NHL can definitely be classified as a success. Mantha is the complete package of size, skating and goal scoring abilities and he translated those tools effectively in the NHL last season scoring 17 goals and 36 points in 60 games. There is obviously a learning curve to playing in the NHL and there was definitely some rocky stretches along the way in the form of being a healthy scratch a couple times but the young forward has acquitted himself well overall. In terms of fantasy upside this season, Mantha has the talent to potentially challenge the Red Wings' captain for the team scoring lead this season or at the very least finish near the top of the team scoring list. Jameson Ewasiuk

October 2016 – The towering forward was one of the last cuts off the Red Wings' roster and will have to begin the year in Grand Rapids and hope for a callup after the season starts. Mantha put in a respectable pre-season, scoring three times in five games, but it wasn’t enough to impress coach Jeff Blashill and earn the right to stay with the Wings. He fits the mold perfectly to replace the injured Johan Franzen as a physical force on the Wing and big body in front of opposing goaltenders, but he has much work ahead to get his game where it needs to be to play in the NHL – particularly improving the mental side of the game, and better incorporating vision and spatial awareness to work with his linemates and create chances as a unit. As well, to better fit the mold of the true power forward the Red Wings are looking for, he needs to better utilize his 6-5 frame and increase his physical presence. He’s able to use his size on the forecheck at separating his man from the puck, but still hasn’t developed into an imposing figure that adds grit as well as skill to the lineup. Joseph Highgate

March 2016- The pressure is mounting in Detroit with their 24 year playoff streak on the line down the stretch with Philadelphia nipping at their heels. With the Wings having all kinds of trouble scoring and coming off a disappointing 1-0 defeat by the hands of the bottom cellar Leafs they have turned to former Junior Starlet Anthony Mantha to help ignite the team. Mantha was summonded ahead of a pivotal game against the aforementioned Flyers where he's expected to debut alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Tatar in hopes of helping spark some offence. It should be noted that Coach Blaishill stated that this move was made  with a vision of him staying up long term, but plans can change in a day at the NHL level. If the promotion itself isn't enough of a confidence booster for the the young winger the endorsement from his former Coach should help keep him hungry and eager to prove he belongs. 

Mantha, like many of his Grand Rapids teammates started the season off slowly. However, the Griffins are currently riding an 11 game win streak it's second such streak of the season to reach double digits and Mantha has been an integral piece to the teams success. The young sniper hasn't been as prolific a scorer since he has turned bro, but he has certainly rebounded from a disappointing rookie season already well surpassing last years totals (56GP 21G-24A-45PTS plus- 18 compared to 62GP 15G-18A-33PTS plus-5). He's seemed to have rebounded quite well after breaking his tibia just 18 months ago and he's going to be given top six minutes and powerplay time right off the hop which could provide immediate and lasting returns. Travis Watson

November 2015- Heading into the 2014-15 Anthony Mantha was one of the most hyped up prospects coming off a goal-a-game  ratio in his final season of Junior hockey. Make no mistake the Anthony Mantha you see now is still the Anthony Mantha that everyone saw lighting up the box scores then. It's just a matter of time before the towering winger starts to hit his groove again. It's hard to know what to expect from a player, especially a player of Mantha's ability after breaking your leg heading into a season in which many called for you to make the opening lineup as a 20 year old. with that amount of pressure and the challenge of rehab after breaking your league who knows maybe he was rushed a bit as he was eager to begin his pro career and bought into the hype himself of him making the Detroit Red Wings roster in his first season. Red Wings and first season seems like a Metaphor I know, but rookie Dylan Larkin has proven that the best players will play and he's making a big-time impact as a teenager. Mantha is too talented to stay doormant forever and soon enough he will bust out showing the world his immense potential as a player with his size and skill usually takes time to develop at the pro game a la Blake Wheeler, Chris Kreider etc. Now is probably the time to target Mantha in any dynasty leagues you are in as his value will almost certainly never get any lower. Travis Watson

November 2014- November 14th 2014 marks the day Anthony Mantha makes his much anticipated pro hockey debut. Mantha was given the go ahead at the beginning of the month to return to practice and now appears ready to show his goal scoring prowess at the next level. The reigning CHL player of the year will surely have most poolies attention now that he returns to action and will be being evaluated closely by Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland as well. You should temper your expectations to begin with as there is no way in knowing how the broken leg will respond to his first competitive game in six months. However, the return couldn't come at a better time as the Grand Rapids offense has been sputtering to begin the year and it shows in the standings. Getting a player of Mantha's size, calibre and track record for scoring goals everywhere he's been should help ignite any offense. Definitely keep an eye on this talented youngster and doesn't hesitate to make the add in case of a promotion if an injury to the top six occurs in Detroit.  Travis Watson

September 2014- Mantha laced up the skates for Detroit in the 2014 Traverse City Prospects Tournament and continued is scoring prowess potting home four goals and an assist in just three games played. There had been a lot of talk coming out of the Red Wings corner about how he could be the first rookie to make the Wings opening night roster since Jiri Fischer, their director of player development did back in 1999. Unfortunately, a broken tibia has changed those plans as Mantha is expected to be out 6-8 weeks. This news will almost certainly mean he will head to Grand Rapids once he's recovered where he will get his feet back under him and hope to get back to his scoring ways. When the sniper does return to action look for him to prove his worth and be among the AHL leaders in goals scored, PP points and points. He's a player who could still have his name called upon despite the injury if he's able to come back strong. Travis Watson

May 2014- Anthony Mantha's banner season continued as he scored the game winning goal in the final minute of game seven to lead his Val d'Or Foreurs past the Baie-Comeau Drakkar by a score of four to three and in doing so the right to lift the President's Cup as QMJHL Champions. Once Baie-Comeau battled back from a 3-0 deficit with two minutes to go things didn't look promising for Val d'Or with the momentum swinging in the opposite direction but their leader and saviour came to the rescue as he did so many times this season breaking the deadlock at three and sending the Foreurs into jubilation. Mantha's winning goal was his 24th of the playoffs and 81st goal of the season in 81 games played which is quite the feat. Mantha's season is far from over though as he heads to London, Ontario for the 2014 Mastercard Memorial Cup where the QMJHL Champions open up the tournament May 16th versus the host team, the London Knights. The Longueuil, Quebec native will look to add a Memorial Cup championship to his crowded mantel after already winning multiple awards this past season including the Michel-Briere trophy for being the QMJHL's Most Valuable Player, the Jean Beliveau trophy for the leagues top scorer and named to the QMJHL's First All-Star team with one more major award likely on the way as CHL player of the year. Very impressive year to date and it can still get better which is hard to believe. The Red Wings are ecstatic for Mantha and are going to give him every opportunity in training camp to earn a spot on the opening roster. Travis Watson

April 2014- Mantha's impressive season carries on as he helped lead the Val d'Or Foreurs in upending the reigning QMJHL and Memorial Cup champion Halifax Mooseheads. Mantha kept up his torrid scoring pace scoring eight goals and notching two assists but surprisingly wasn't one of the goal scorers in their 3-2 victory over Halifax in game seven. With his eight goals in the series it places him well ahead of the pack leading the "Q" in playoff goals with 18 but still well back of Jonathan Drouin for the overall scoring lead as his 25 points sit 16 back from Drouin's 41. Mantha may not have won the scoring battle but he did win the war with Drouin and now Val d'Or has Baie-Comeau in their sights as they attempt to get back to the Memorial Cup for the third time in franchise history. Travis Watson

March 2014- Anthony Mantha had an outstanding season posting an astounding 57 goals in 57 games played and topped it off with another 63 assists to record a total of 120 points. Mantha has already won the QMJHL scoring title and for his efforts this season he is also a finalist for the Michel-Briere Trophy for most valuable player and the Paul-Dumont trophy for personality of the year.

It looks like the post season isn't going to slow Mantha down either as he has already amassed one goal and four assists helping stake Val'dor out to a three to nothing lead in their best of seven series versus Acadie-Bathurst. Mantha has Poolies drooling over his potential but the concern as there always is with Detroit prospects is how long are we going to have to wait for them to give him a chance? If there is a prospect in their system that they make an exception for you can bet it would be a player of Mantha's size and skill set. Travis Watson

March 2014- Mantha is scoring at an astounding rate averaging a goal per game and needs just two more goals in the final three games to finish the year at that pace. It is an incredible feat to score at that rate and it hasn't just come out of no where as this is Mantha's second consecutive year eclipsing the 50 goal barrier. The only CHL prospect to do so in the past two seasons. Mantha sits eight points back in the CHL points scoring race to Erie Otters captain Connor Brown and seven goals behind Browns linemate Dane Fox for the goal scoring lead. It's very likely that Mantha would be the one being chased right now if it wasn't for his inclusion on Team Canada's WJHC roster but that's an opportunity if given the choice 1000 times you would do it every time. Mantha has a very bright future ahead of him and next stop is the 2014 QMJHL playoffs where he will hope to lead Val-d'Or to the President's Trophy. Travis Watson

January 2014 – Remaining in the Q, Red Wings’ prospect Anthony Mantha has been underperforming based on his lofty standards set early this season since returning from WJC action. The big scoring winger has just six points in the five games following the tournament and he has been held off of the gamesheet in two of those contests – a situation that happened only ONCE prior to the WJC (back on October 17^th). As of January 24th, Mantha remains the current QMJHL scoring leader with 39 goals and 79 points in 37 contests. Brendan Ross

January 2014- Anthony Mantha was rightfully named a 2014 WJC First Team All-Star after finishing third in tournament scoring with five goals, six assists and 11 points through seven games. Mantha started the tournament as a bubble player to make the team and ended it as their leading scorer. He consistently showed game in and game out that he is game breaker with his dynamic goal scoring abilities and after this tournament has us even more excited about his future with the Red Wings. Mantha will head back to Val-d’Or where he will look to pick up where he left off and help lead the Foreurs to a hopeful  long playoff run. Amazingly, he still holds a 12 point lead in the QMJHL scoring race and sits just eight points back for the CHL scoring lead. Travis Watson

December 2013- Mantha took the early scoring lead at the 2014 World Junior Championships when he recorded an opening day hat trick helping lead Canada to a 7-2 win over Germany. Mantha and Canada will both hope for his goal scoring ways to continue in hopes of returning to the podium after a one year absence. Travis Watson

December 2013 – Anthony Mantha is one of 13 forwards selected to the Canadian Under-20 World Junior roster for the upcoming Championships in Malmo, Sweden. After speculation that Mantha was a "bubble player" nearing the end of camp, the high scoring Quebec leaguer stepped up his game in the first two pre-tournament games showcasing his deadly shooting skills and ability to use his large frame to dominate puck possession. Mantha will have a chance to really elevate his stock as Brent Sutter will likely utilize him on one of Canada's top two scoring lines, which means playing with either Jonathan Drouin or 16-year-old phenom Connor McDavid. Brendan Ross

December 2013- Fresh off another hat trick and QMJHL’s Third Star of the week, Anthony Mantha was named to Team Canada’s final selection camp and is certainly a lock to make the team. Mantha has a 15 point lead in the Q’s scoring race and has put up an astounding 80 goals in his last 101 games played. A feat that no other Junior hockey player can lay claim to. Team Canada will certainly be hoping that Mantha can continue his scorching pace and help lead Team Canada back to prominence. Travis Watson

November 2013- Mantha continues to impress game after game constantly racking up the points and having registered a point in all but one game to date. He's been incredible thus far scoring at a blistering pace with over a goal a game  with 24 goals in 23 games played and a total of 54 points. Surprisingly Mantha doesn't lead the CHL in scoring as he sits one back from the undrafted Mitch Holmberg of the Spokane Chiefs. It doesn't seem like Mantha intends on letting up and the only thing that may stop him from leading the CHL in scoring this season may be a trip to Malmo, Sweden where Mantha will look to take his scoring prowess and lead Canada to victory.

October 2013 – Anthony Mantha was named the QMJHL's First Star of the Week (ending October 13th) after potting five goals and 10 points in only two weekly games. Mantha is tearing it up in the QMJHL and is the heavy favourite to lead QMJHL, and maybe CHL, scoring. Brendan Ross

October 2013- Anthony Mantha is off to a scorching start to the season leading the QMJHL league in scoring with an impressive 23 points in eight games played to date. The Red Wings were ecstatic to have Mantha still on the board when they traded back in the draft and were still able to grab the drafts top goal scorer. With his strong start and stellar prospect tournament where he helped lead the Wings to the championship he has made a great impression on team brass and because of that Detroit signed him to a three-year entry-level contract. With this strong start and Mantha's ability level look for him to push for MVP this season! Travis Watson

June 2013 – In typical Detroit fashion, the Red Wings traded back from 18th to 20th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft to select 50 goal scorer Anthony Mantha of the Val d'Or Foreurs. Travis Watson

March 2013 – Anthony Mantha was named the QMJHL First Star of the Week (ending March 3rd) as he scored two goals upping his goal tally to 47 goals to lead all QMJHL players. Mantha has now improved his draft stock and is unanimously considered a first round talent by all major scouting services. Brendan Ross

February 2013 – Mantha continues to be productive and is up to 42 goals and 77 points in 55 games. He is making a strong case to be selected in the first round in June. Eric Dauost

December 2012 – Anthony Mantha is having an excellent draft year as he currently leads the QMJHL’s Val d’Or Foreurs with 29 goals and 52 points in just 35 games. He is a power forward who may need a few years of development but could be a top-six forward down the road. He is currently ranked 16^th on Craig Button’s draft rankings.

Fantasy Outlook: A

Complete package with a lot of upside. Has the potential to be one of Detroit's leading scorers and should be a strong fantasy option this season.

Footage:

Mantha profile:

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