The Detroit Red Wings almost re-signed veteran winger Anthony Mantha this summer after his standout season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. A deal was reportedly in place with interim GM Shawn Horcoff, but it fell through while awaiting ownership approval. Mantha, who enjoyed a career-best year, later signed a two-year contract with the New Jersey Devils at $9.5 million. Detroit, having lost key players Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk, had the cap space and opportunity to accommodate Mantha’s return, but ultimately, the situation did not materialize.

By the Numbers
  • Mantha scored 33 goals and 31 assists in 81 games last season.
  • Detroit has nearly $20 million in cap space after losing key players.
State of Play
  • Interim GM Shawn Horcoff has some flexibility to pursue additional free agents.
  • Detroit is looking to fill the scoring gap left by Kane and van Riemsdyk.
What's Next

With the offseason ongoing, the Red Wings may continue exploring free agency options to enhance their roster, particularly seeking wingers to boost team scoring before the new season.

Bottom Line

The missed opportunity to bring back Mantha highlights both the potential for roster improvement and the challenges facing Detroit during their GM transition. The team must act strategically in free agency to fill critical gaps and maintain competitiveness.