Golden Knights Acquire Anthony Mantha from the Capitals

With less than three days until the NHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, buyers and sellers are looking at improving their roster for the stretch run or putting their eyesight on the future. Fans and experts can likely expect to see some big stars being traded, as contenders are looking to find that missing piece that can help lead them to winning the Stanley Cup. On Tuesday evening, the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals started off the busy trade period, as the Capitals are sending winger Anthony Mantha to the Knights for a 2024 second-round draft pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the Capitals will be paying 50% of Mantha’s remaining $5.7 million cap hit. 

Entering play on Tuesday in third place of the Pacific Division with a 33-22-7 record for 73 points and going 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, the defending Stanley Cup Champions are aiming to bolster their roster ahead of the deadline as they look to win back-to-back championships for the first time in the franchise’s early history. The acquisition of Mantha will provide the Knights with added scoring depth at the winger position, as Mantha will provide another scoring threat to a deep Knights roster that has three wingers with ten or more goals currently (Marchessault, Stone, and Amadio). With the Capitals this season, Mantha has flipped a switch from previous low goal-scoring seasons that has led to the ten-year veteran having recorded 20 goals and 14 assists in 56 games played thus far. In his career with the Detroit Red Wings and the Capitals, Mantha has tallied 139 career goals, 147 assists, and 286 points in 476 games played. 

Ahead of the trade deadline this week, Mantha, who was traded from the Red Wings to the Capitals during the 2021 season, recently reflected on the past uncertain experiences of possibly being traded mid-season to a new team. Mantha stated, “Obviously, you just never know, but I try to go day by day and do my best, play for this team and that’s who I’m playing for right now,” Mantha continued, “I’m focused on winning games here, being a good teammate and that’s all I can do.” With aspirations of breaking his career-high in goals this season (25), Mantha will now have the luxury of being a part of a Stanley Cup contender for the remainder of the season and fighting for the opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career.