Detroit Red Wings – Anthony Mantha
Anthony Mantha is leading a pack of new-age Detroit Red Wings ready to shine as the next generation. Dylan Larkin is growing into a great asset, while Andreas Athanasiou brings unprecedented speed to the Red Wings lineup.
However, there is something very special about Mantha, and you can see that the Red Wings are taking their very classic approach to his development.
Last season, Mantha played his first full year of NHL hockey on a disappointing Red Wings squad. He finished the campaign with 24 goals and 24 assists. Mantha was an absolute stud at the junior level, and had a great showing with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He went a point-per-game in 10 games in 2016-17 at the AHL level and never looked back.
He has been praised for his shot his whole career, but the underrated speed and hockey sense make him a very clever offensive player. On top of that, there is clear improvement in his defensive game and physicality. With all those assets, he is primed for a big season in 2018-19.
Mantha also brings the intangibles to the table. He is a strong presence on the ice and could be a leader in the Red Wings locker room for years to come. Even if the points do not come right away, Mantha has all the makings of a top line forward in the Red Wings system. As long as the opportunity continues to present itself, Mantha should grow into a franchise player for Detroit.