Golden Knights Will Not Re-Sign Pending UFA Anthony Mantha
The Vegas Golden Knights made significant moves at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, including acquiring forward Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals. Unfortunately, these moves did not pan out as hoped, with the Golden Knights failing to defend their championship and losing to the Dallas Stars in a seven-game first-round playoff series.
In response to these outcomes, Vegas has started to reevaluate their roster decisions. This week, they informed pending unrestricted free agent Anthony Mantha that he will not be re-signed this summer.
Mantha will enter free agency on July 1. “Vegas made it clear that they were not going to put me back under contract,” Mantha told RDS. “I’m excited, but at the same time, I’m stressed as everything comes into play. We’ll see, whether it’s July 1st or a little later. Hoping we will have good news.”
Mantha contributed decently for Vegas towards the end of the regular season, scoring 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 18 games while averaging 14:26 of ice time per game. However, a minor undisclosed injury affected him towards the season’s end, and he was less effective in the playoffs. He played in only the first three of the seven playoff games, recording no points and finishing with a minus-1 rating.
Before joining the Golden Knights, Mantha had a strong season with the Capitals, scoring 20 goals for the first time since the 2018-19 season. He accumulated 34 points and a plus-5 rating in 56 games with Washington, revitalizing his career with a total of 44 points for the season, his best since 2018-19 when he scored 48 points.
The 29-year-old forward was in the final season of a four-year, $22.8 million contract ($5.7 million average annual value) initially signed with the Detroit Red Wings in 2020. As he enters free agency, Mantha will look to find a new team and continue his NHL career.
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