Mantha should be on the block asap. He has no confidence.
Not going to lie, for me it's like an emotional rollercoaster when it comes to Mantha. I think he is who he is, and if he didn't look around him and see what it takes to succeed like Larkin, or Zetterberg before him, he most likely won't understand it ever. This is a working man's league. I watch the predators quite a bit, and when I see small Viktor Arvidsson (far many other examples like him) be hungry for the puck, protect it, win battles for it and give it his all to score, there really isn't any excuse for guys like Mantha. You're soon to be captain in Larkin is giving it his all every single shift, what makes Mantha so special? I don't believe it's a confidence issue because in my opinion that has more to do with skills. This is a heart and mind problem. Mantha will probably perceive it as a skills confidence issue, but it will be because he can't see the truth in his warts. Next year is the time to decide what to do with him, because having said all that you give youth with skill the opportunity to mature. I think his age 25 season next year is a good enough leash for any young player.