The Washington Capitals have added Anthony Mantha. In exchange for the mid-20s Right Winger, Detroit receives Wingers Jakub Vrána and Richard Pánik, Washington’s 2021 first, and Washington’s 2022 second. I did not expect Mantha or Vrána to go, so it is a pleasant surprise for me. Now, it is time to break down the trade. Did Washington get fleeced? Did the Red Wings get enough?
I think Washinton overpaid, but that’s ok. Mantha should be their first-line Right Winger alongside franchise superstar Alex Ovechkin, arguably the best goal scorer in NHL history. I believe Mantha could be their next franchise player after Ovi isn’t sporting Caps red. (Or a franchise duo with star Defenseman John Carlsson) He has scored at a 52-point rate during his career per 82 games. However, if you trash out his first two seasons, he scores at a 57 point rate. (rounded to the nearest whole number) Not only does he rack the points, but he also plays defense, and he has a 6-5 frame to add physicality. Besides, the Caps should be all-in, and they are now. Overall, I believe Washington might have given a bit much, but if Mantha can produce and play like I think he can, it will be well worth it.
In Detroit, fans should be celebrating (obviously not in large number, that can wait until we end the pandemic) because they received a quality Winger in Jakub Vrána, a first and a second. (They had to absorb Richard Pánik’s salary, but that’s ok; Detroit has a lot of cap space) Vrana this season has been more productive than Mantha with 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 39 games whereas Mantha has the same number of goals but with 10 assists for 21 points in 42 games. Moreover, they got first and second-round picks! I believe this could set Detroit’s future core if their scouting staff could find two gems with their draft assets and Vrana continues developing.
After the fog clears, I believe both teams won. Washington needed to make a big, win-now move, and they did so with Mantha. Along with his current production, the Capitals might have found their next franchise superstar to pair with Carlsson after Ovi is no longer a Capital. (He, Ovi, and Carlsson could form the Capitals’ best big three ever) The Red Wings might have set a foundation for another dynasty. If their scouts can hit with their draft assets, they can build another dominant core like the mid-90s late-2000s Wings. All and all, I believe both teams received what they needed, so it’s a win-win.
