I'm honestly baffled how anyone can have him be their favorite player. What about him is so appealing to you? I'm not trying to start anything, I swear. I'm just curious.
Besides maybe Zadina who is just breaking into the league, Mantha is the most offensively skilled player on the team. He has the best shot, he's the best passer, he has the best hands, he's huge and he's the most likely to make an entertaining offensive play.
There's other solid choices- Larkin is faster, captain of the team, also makes high skill plays sometimes and outworks Mantha, gets big points for transporting the puck up ice, Bertuzzi has grit to his game and makes some high IQ plays to set up his more skilled linemates. Hronek is our only competent defenseman, has a good shot and solid passing and plays with some grit.
I don't even know who my favorite Wing is because frankly I find them all wanting. Mantha is too inconsistent and often invisible. Larkin makes too many bland plays, turns over the puck and doesn't create enough. Bertuzzi just isn't good enough. Hronek gets crushed defensively and can't handle the position he's in. I don't think Mantha is an odd choice.