Prospect Info: Anthony Mantha

[TheNextDaigle]

Just in case you guys missed it:



I don't think MacKenzie was really taking a dump on this pick like Captain Bob said, he was just mentioning "scouting reports".

I'll take hockey sense and puck skills instead of the opposite (McKee for example). Competitiveness and physical play can come with development. We're not expecting Milan Lucic here, but he if skates hard every shift and scores goals, I'm fine with that.

Yeah, he didn ´t take a dump on him at all. Just explaining why he went 20th overall instead of top 5 with the elite hockey sense, puck skills and off the charts shooting he (supposedly) possesses. Also has very good skating and at 6´4, I am very, very happy with this pick.

 

[crashman]

Physically, he looks a bit like Stamkos. I'd be awesome if he was even 1/2 the player he is.

I don't know nearly enough about these young players to get too excited about the draft, but this guy seems like he fills a need from what I've read.

 

[BF3]

Yeah, he didn ´t take a dump on him at all. Just explaining why he went 20th overall instead of top 5 with the elite hockey sense, puck skills and off the charts shooting he (supposedly) possesses. Also has very good skating and at 6´4, I am very, very happy with this pick.

I get the feeling that he was explaining why a 50 goal scorer with as much hockey sense, skating ability and size got picked at 20 rather than in the top 10.

If people are worried about Franzen 2.0 then there is nothing to worry about. We need guys that have an innate shooting sense.

 

[TheNextDaigle]

I get the feeling that he was explaining why a 50 goal scorer with as much hockey sense, skating ability and size got picked at 20 rather than in the top 10.

If people are worried about Franzen 2.0 then there is nothing to worry about. We need guys that have an innate shooting sense.

That´s what I said, no? *confused*

 

[BF3]

That´s what I said, no? *confused*

Yea, no, agreeing. Perhaps quoting wasn't the best.

Regardless - I don't really care if Bob dumps all over our picks, I just want them to pan out.

 

[TheNextDaigle]

Yea, no, agreeing. Perhaps quoting wasn't the best.

Regardless - I don't really care if Bob dumps all over our picks, I just want them to pan out.

Yeah, same here. What is done is done.

 

[Kronwalled55]

I'm not sure we should keep Mantha buried for very long. Big, good skater, wicked shot... I'm interested to see how he gets developed.

 

[BF3]

I'm not sure we should keep Mantha buried for very long. Big, good skater, wicked shot... I'm interested to see how he gets developed.

He's older, but I'd be shocked if he was up in 2015-16 for anything more than a injury replacement (like Tatar this past season). I think he's full-time in 2016-17, though.

 

[InjuredChoker]

Podcast from Button, talks about Mantha little after 8 min mark. Episode 8.

 

[mindfly]

I hope the wings don't ruin his confidence etc when saying you must play another year in junior then atleast 3 full AHL seasons...

It makes me kind of sad when players, a bit naive perhaps, stating they want to play for the wings next season or "as soon as possible"... when they are all there until 23-25years of age.

 

[SoupNazi]

I hope the wings don't ruin his confidence etc when saying you must play another year in junior then atleast 3 full AHL seasons...

It makes me kind of sad when players, a bit naive perhaps, stating they want to play for the wings next season or "as soon as possible"... when they are all there until 23-25years of age.

If they've ever studied the organization they wouldn't say things like that.

 

[Heaton]

If they've ever studied the organization they wouldn't say things like that.

I would hope players aren't that weak mentally. I would hope the Wings are up front with the players (I believe they are) and tell them what's going on.

 

[BSHH]

I hope the wings don't ruin his confidence etc when saying you must play another year in junior then atleast 3 full AHL seasons...

It makes me kind of sad when players, a bit naive perhaps, stating they want to play for the wings next season or "as soon as possible"... when they are all there until 23-25years of age.

While scouting reports usually vary, Mantha obviously is judged almost universally as follows: The player has an abundance of talent and all the tools, but needs to learn how to utilize them both more intensively and more often. After scoring virtaully at will during last season, it should be a valuable lesson for Mantha that he will have to set himself new goals and work hard to get further ahead.

Detroit's development strategy has spawned notable improvements of many recently drafted players, therefore I am sure that the organisation knows how to deal with Mantha. Following his grandfather's legacy surely will be an extra motivation for the player.

Gruß,
BSHH

 

[mindfly]

I would hope players aren't that weak mentally. I would hope the Wings are up front with the players (I believe they are) and tell them what's going on.

somehow I believe there's been mixed messages from detroit in regards to Tatar, I don't think he publicly would have been this disappointed if they had been 100% honest right from the get go til now... Probably KH or Babcock promised he would get more playing time and one of these two didn't keep that promise.

 

[ChadS]

Well at least he's a -94 birthday so he can play in the AHL in 14-15 if he continues scoring like this next year. -95's drafted out of Major Junior can't play until 15-16.

I fully expect him to develop in those weaker parts of his game and he's talked about the will to do it in all the interviews. I'm stocked to have a 50 goal scorer in our prospect pool, but do you guys have any idea how big of a role Anton Zlobin had in Mantha's goal total?

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

I hope the wings don't ruin his confidence etc when saying you must play another year in junior then atleast 3 full AHL seasons...

It makes me kind of sad when players, a bit naive perhaps, stating they want to play for the wings next season or "as soon as possible"... when they are all there until 23-25years of age.

The Wings have to "ruin" his confidence, because he's not NHL-ready. He'd be swiss cheese defensively and would be useless along the boards. It would be bad for his development, and probably turn him into a PP specialist. He would become something like what Dany Heatley is right now... which is a buyout candidate quality player.

Really, kids like him need to develop confidence based on what they can do, not based on whether things are going well for them right now. Win or lose, he has to keep that confidence or it's not worth much.

I think you give Mantha 2 or 3 years, depending on how seriously he takes training and working on his defensive game and intensity. I hope Jiri Fischer can talk him into caring about those other parts of his game, because it's not all pure skill at the NHL level.

 

[Heaton]

somehow I believe there's been mixed messages from detroit in regards to Tatar, I don't think he publicly would have been this disappointed if they had been 100% honest right from the get go til now... Probably KH or Babcock promised he would get more playing time and one of these two didn't keep that promise.

I don't believe that really, the Wings have never promised anything to prospects. Tatar is a young kid who has done a lot of good things and has been extremely productive in the AHL. If I were him I'd be asking myself what else I have to do as well.

 

[newfy]

Well at least he's a -94 birthday so he can play in the AHL in 14-15 if he continues scoring like this next year. -95's drafted out of Major Junior can't play until 15-16.

I fully expect him to develop in those weaker parts of his game and he's talked about the will to do it in all the interviews. I'm stocked to have a 50 goal scorer in our prospect pool, but do you guys have any idea how big of a role Anton Zlobin had in Mantha's goal total?

Someone on the prospects board said hes scored at this pace for the second half of the prior season and all of this past season. Not sure how much of a role anyone played in it, you dont just put up 50 and be a top 20 NHL pick with 9 out of 10 hockey sense and have your goals credited to someone else as well.

We'll see but I really like this pick so far, and even though hes not competitive he still fought 4 times this season so there might be more of a mean streak then we all think

 

[SoupNazi]

I don't believe that really, the Wings have never promised anything to prospects. Tatar is a young kid who has done a lot of good things and has been extremely productive in the AHL. If I were him I'd be asking myself what else I have to do as well.

True, although I really believe Tatar, if not traded, will be on the team this fall.

 

[joe89]

I'm not sure we should keep Mantha buried for very long. Big, good skater, wicked shot... I'm interested to see how he gets developed.

And I'm not sure Mantha is remotely in the same boat as some other forwards we've drafted. Sheahan was a first rounder but he went to college. Then what? No first round forwards.

We can look at round 2 and 3 picks who are in the system, Ferraro was the closest and he's still not up to NHL physicality four years later. Tatar and Jarnkrok were always small skilled project picks. Andersson, Nestrasil, Frk all have/had skating issues to work on, that rarely happens over night. Tvrdon has been killed by injuries to this point.

That leaves Jurco who I think is the closest comparison because he has both size and pretty good skating. And I'm starting to think Jurco is only gonna do one more year in the minors because of that. If Mantha works hard it feels like a guy who spends one year in the AHL to learn the system and to get his feet wet with pro hockey, then he makes his jump. He has no major obstacles to play with men other than to adapt his game. And we haven't had a forward prospects like that in a long time.

 

[SportsballChic]

That leaves Jurco who I think is the closest comparison because he has both size and pretty good skating. And I'm starting to think Jurco is only gonna do one more year in the minors because of that. If Mantha works hard it feels like a guy who spends one year in the AHL to learn the system and to get his feet wet with pro hockey, then he makes his jump. He has no major obstacles to play with men other than to adapt his game.

1) Thank you. I keep saying Jurco will be coming sooner than people think; not saying this means anything but it's nice to know that someone else sees his skill level as "ridiculously beyond the AHL already".

2) My issue with Mantha is that it seems like he needs to grow up a bit. I've spent half a day investigating the "no fire" comment and I think that scout was just having a **** day. He is however not the polished young man our 2nd round pick was (I'm ignoring Bertuzzi, didn't happen, won't even come up so who cares). Mantha seems like a big goofy kid who's always been "better" than the ppl around him. He definitely could play in 2 years if he gets his head on straight but I have a funny feeling he's going to need time to grow up.

Just a guess, but it would explain the inconsistencies because I saw PLENTY of highlights where he was going hard; he just clearly threw up in a bag and called that his game when a few scouts were watching.

 

[joe89]

2) My issue with Mantha is that it seems like he needs to grow up a bit. I've spent half a day investigating the "no fire" comment and I think that scout was just having a **** day. He is however not the polished young man our 2nd round pick was (I'm ignoring Bertuzzi, didn't happen, won't even come up so who cares). Mantha seems like a big goofy kid who's always been "better" than the ppl around him. He definitely could play in 2 years if he gets his head on straight but I have a funny feeling he's going to need time to grow up.

Just a guess, but it would explain the inconsistencies because I saw PLENTY of highlights where he was going hard; he just clearly threw up in a bag and called that his game when a few scouts were watching.

I'm just gonna wait and see how he carries himself in the development camp and hopefully the traverse tournament before saying too much about his timeline. But my initial feeling is two years away anyway.

 

[SportsballChic]

I'm just gonna wait and see how he carries himself in the development camp and hopefully the traverse tournament before saying too much about his timeline. But my initial feeling is two years away anyway.

Oh man, just realize how excited I am for the prospects tournament

Fwiw, I'm excited. Unsure if it was clear in the last post; I think he was the best choice there at that point. I really think ppl are overstating his "bust" factor because of a bad scouting report. Dude is like 18, LOTS of kids in junior take shifts off; give him a little time to grow up and a paycheck and I bet all that just goes away.

He's legit. Probably going to drive us nuts because all he cares about is scoring goals, but he's how do you guys say it? "realgud"

 

[DatsyukToZetterberg]

After a full night to digest this pick, I REALLY wanted Shinkaruk, I've come to terms that this was the right pick & it may end up being a steal for us. Some people call him an above average skater, close to elite for his size, with a high hockey IQ & a world class shot. He also is an above average passer but he still needs work defensively & he could stand to use his size more, though I've read conflicting reports of him using his size in board battles while others say he doesn't.

I think this is the best non biased report of him I've read so far.

Mantha made significant strides over the last year, aided by his late birthdate, which gave him an extra year of development. He is a well above-average skater for a big man. He picks up speed quickly, with a certain smoothness in his skating technique. That skating ability, combined with his 6'4" frame, makes him an intriguing physical package. He does possess some skill, but he is more of a good thinker than a fancy puck handler. He can slow the game down, and he exhibits good calmness, often finding the right plays to make with the puck. He shows above-average ability as a passer. He is a top-end finisher, possessing a bullet shot. When he gets an opportunity to one-time a puck, he winds up high, delivering a lot of weight through the shot. He could use some work defensively, as he is not the most physical of players, but he will bump opponents along the boards.

I think Mantha may be a legit 40 goal prospect for us. If he can improve his defense, become more consistent with his physical play & work on that "work ethic" issue he will make the NHL. I also think that his work ethic issue was over blown, by his interview yesterday he seemed to be highly competitive & willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the NHL.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

I also think that his work ethic issue was over blown, by his interview yesterday he seemed to be highly competitive & willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the NHL.

You think so? Personally, I was having trouble deciding if that was confidence or just arrogance. It might be that he just really thinks he's that good already...