When I think net front guy, I think of Rasmussen and Holmstrom due to limitations of their skill set to be much of a producer outside the net front. Franzen and Mantha are a completely different skill set with their respective shots. Sure, embracing the dirty areas as a part of his game will supplement his scoring, but I think that the mental aspect of being afraid that "shooting could be the wrong decision" has implanted itself in Mantha's head. We've seen a handful of goals where he comes down the wing and rips a shot to the far post; his shot is unlike anyone on the roster at the current moment when you combine the release, the accuracy, and the power behind it. But a majority of his shots look like they are shots he is taking because the system says he should be taking them, not because he is shooting with the intent to score.
Conveniently, he's only under contract for one more year. I'd like to get him to the offseason on a high note and healthy, give him one last offseason to train and evolve, and we will see what he looks like next year. If we don't see something click, I'm sure Montreal would love to make a good offer for a French-Canadian power forward on a cost controlled RFA contract.
