The issue, according to one pro scout, is his compete level. “The size is there. The skill is there. Sometimes the fire is missing,” the scout told SI.com. “You want to see more from him in the puck battles. You want to see him earn his space. He’s got that size, he has to use it.
“It’s a tough transition from juniors, but especially for big men. You see a lot of [kids] who used to be able to get by on their size struggle with it when they have to go up against big, strong men every night. It’s a whole new game. It’s a real test. Not everybody is going to pass it.
“But honestly I’ve seen improvement in his game during the second half of the season. His reads are better, his positioning is better. He cut back on his penalties. He’s figuring out the mental aspect of it and that’s a good sign, a positive sign. But yeah, there’s times [they’d] like to see him more engaged, more aggressive. It shows up at times and then others it’s just not there. I think that’s why [Devellano] sounded so frustrated [after watching Mantha play three poor games in the AHL playoffs].
“The key for any player in his position is to stay hungry. To constantly push himself to be a better player. And never take anything for granted. [Mantha] has an opportunity to be a special player, but no one is going to hand him a job. This was a reminder of that, that he has to earn it.”
