The sky isn’t falling simply but, however the Calgary Flames’ nice begin to the season is shortly being forgotten about due to a present three-game dropping streak. The most recent of the losses got here final night time, the place they fell to a Vegas Golden Knights staff who fully outclassed them from begin to end.
This shouldn’t be all too stunning, because the Flames had been by no means anticipated to be a aggressive staff this season. Their sizzling begin caught everybody off guard, and it seems like are starting to regress to the imply. Whereas there are a number of causes they’re failing to play like they did to begin the season, free-agent signing Anthony Mantha definitely hasn’t helped.
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Mantha agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million cope with the Flames this summer time. The expectation was that he would play top-six minutes, after which get moved to a contender at or forward of the 2025 Commerce Deadline, with the Flames selecting up a draft decide or prospect to assist construct in direction of the long run.
Issues began fairly nicely, as Mantha got here flying out of the gates with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick within the season opener. He adopted that up with a degree in every of the next two video games to offer himself a three-game level streak, and appeared very very like a participant who might internet an honest return on the deadline. Since then, nevertheless, he has struggled immensely.
Mantha Doing What Mantha Does
These highs and lows have grow to be fairly frequent via Mantha’s profession. In reality, they had been current even earlier than he acquired to the NHL, as scouts expressed warning with him heading into the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
By all accounts, Mantha had the talent stage to be a really early decide. As an alternative, he went twentieth, as there have been considerations about his compete stage. These have continued to plague him all through his profession, as the hassle stage merely isn’t there on a nightly foundation. There are occasions the place he can dominate and appear to be one of the best participant on the ice, solely to show into a whole non-factor for a big stretch afterward.
Regardless of the season solely being 9 video games in, Flames followers have already witnessed all of it from Mantha. He’s gone pointless in six straight since his sizzling begin, and the compete stage has been missing. It’s already on the level the place some followers are calling for him to sit down out a sport or two as a wholesome scratch.
Buying and selling Mantha Might Show Tough
Ought to this play proceed for Mantha, transferring him for a future asset on the deadline could also be tougher than initially anticipated. He was moved for a second and fourth-round spherical choice on the 2024 Commerce Deadline, although that got here after scoring 20 targets in 56 video games.
Whereas that manufacturing stays attainable, he’s proven little signal as of late to offer followers a lot optimism. The most important problem is the truth that he’s gained a critical status for lazy play throughout the league, which makes him much more troublesome to maneuver. On the very least, followers ought to actually mood expectations relating to a return.
Youthful Gamers Deserving of Alternative
What makes this signing a mistake for the Flames is the truth that Mantha is taking over a roster spot which might be higher served for a youthful participant. If he weren’t round, there’s a good probability that 21-year-old Matt Coronato could be enjoying top-nine minutes. As an alternative, he’s within the American Hockey League (AHL).
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There are a number of others that may very well be benefiting from top-nine NHL minutes as nicely, together with Jakob Pelletier, who can be at present within the AHL. Whilst you can perceive what common supervisor Craig Conroy was considering by bringing Mantha in, Flames followers are shortly realizing why different fan bases have soured on the 30-year-old all through his profession.
