The New Jersey Devils announced a two‑year, $9.5 million agreement with veteran forward Anthony Mantha, a move aimed at shoring up a lineup that finished 27th in scoring last season.
Mantha, who turned 30 earlier this year, posted a career‑high 33 goals and 64 points in the previous campaign, but his production has been hampered by a history of injuries, including ACL surgery, and he has skated in more than 70 games only three times in his 11‑year NHL career.
Mantha’s Fit in New Jersey’s Top Six
Coach Lindy Ruff is expected to slot Mantha among the top six forwards, giving the team flexibility to rearrange its depth chart and provide more balanced scoring across lines.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald highlighted that the signing addresses the club’s need for a reliable goal‑scorer while also adding a player who can mentor younger talent such as Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier.
The deal comes despite Mantha’s modest playoff record, which includes just seven assists in 20 career postseason games, a statistic that factored into the market’s cautious approach.