I debate... Mantha with Z is a better line, but...
Z will inflate Mantha's stats in a contract year. that is always dangerous.
I have no problem paying people what they are worth... but i feel anyone playing with Z and previously (D).... well they are the contracts we complain about the most now.
If Mantha has an amazing year, asks for 6 million (no bridge).... and then doesnt produce without Z... we are really going to regret that.
I know the GM isnt supposed to tell the coach how to play the lines... but i have to imagine its better not to have Mantha's stats be inflated.
Yeah, that stat inflation could be possible, but...
... it's also great as a learning process to play with an Elite thinker like Zetterberg is. Brett Hull teached Pavel Datsyuk how to become the best playmaker of the game. Hull as a superb scorer did knew the best positions to score, he adviced Pavel where to pass and rest is history.
Same could happen with Zetterberg and Mantha. Old dog teaches the kid for good, or even Elite habits. Mantha has the skillset to be both, playmaker or scorer.
Mantha has been possessing driving force since his callup last year. He is a real deal, even without Zetterberg. I'm least worried about his contract.
Mantha will be 1st line player no matter what. Those will get paid. These Tatar's and Nyquist's look just secondary weapons who became overpaid through inflated scoring. Especially Tatar has been horrible at this season.