While trade deadline day itself was largely quiet with most of the big moves being made the night before, one of the final moves on Monday was a significant one with the Capitals acquiring winger Anthony Mantha from the Red Wings for wingers Jakub Vrana and Richard Panik, a 2021 first-round pick, and a 2022 second-round pick.
The move came as somewhat of a surprise considering Detroit wasn’t in a position to sell high on Mantha, who had been a healthy scratch recently. Meanwhile, the same could be said for Vrana while Panik had recently cleared waivers. On the surface, none of these players seemed like potential change of scenery candidates and yet combined for the biggest deal of the deadline.
From Washington’s standpoint, while Mantha is the bigger name, the numbers between him and Vrana are relatively similar in recent years. Going back to 2018-19, Mantha has averaged 0.70 points per game and Vrana 0.65 despite Mantha logging nearly four minutes more per game in ice time. Mantha has battled multiple injuries over that span and has played in 38 fewer games. So why do they do the deal? Finances would seem to have a lot to do with it.
Vrana is a restricted free agent this summer and is in line for a raise on his $3.35MM AAV; it’s not entirely implausible to think he could look at Mantha’s $5.7MM price tag through 2023-24 as the ballpark range for a target. At that price, he’d be more difficult for the Capitals to move and they’d have had a hard time fitting him in with Panik’s $2.75MM for two more years on the books as well. Now they have Mantha in that spot for three years at a fixed price tag with an underperforming contract gone as well.
As for Detroit, their motivation is a bit clearer. They get a similarly productive player in Vrana who they hope can be more productive with more ice time. With plenty of cap space, they can easily afford the raise he’ll get this offseason and it’s worth noting that the 25-year-old does have arbitration eligibility. It also allowed them to absorb Panik’s deal without any concerns and the veteran should be able to contribute as well. Getting those two assets plus first- and second-round picks gives them the potential for comparable production now and future pieces of the puzzle down the road.
How do you feel both teams made out in this swap? Vote in the polls below to award your grades.
Maybe Mantha will find some motivation in Washington and play like he cares. He has talent, but you can’t build a team around that lackluster work ethic. Wings need to hit on a few of these picks though.
As much as we all say caps got fleeced chances are it’s around a 28-32 pick and then around 60 for the 2nd. Not like there giving away a Flip Forsberg for Erat again. Although it does look bad right now
I guess you don’t understand the draft in hockey. The more picks they have, the better shot of Yzerman finding a player. Wings historically find players late in rounds so getting higher picks only increases their chances. Mantha is a good player but he’s inconsistent a more of a 2nd line no pressure player. The Wings fleeced the Caps because they received two high round picks and at least one player of equal production. The two picks can also be used to move up and target a player. It’s a good move for Washington but it’s a better move long term for the Wings.
Zetterberg at pick #210 and Datsyuk at pick #171 immediately come to mind
If the Wings could still make picks like that they wouldnt be watching hockey in June every year and crying over the lottery.
I love the deal for the Caps, but that’s cuz I’m a Pens fan.
They traded their only top 6 speed for more size. Maybe you can win with all size and no speed, but I would not make that bet.
If he gets top line minutes and PP time, Vrana has the tools to score 30 easy, maybe even 40.
I really need to see Vrana’s extension, because I cannot imagine the Caps would’ve had trouble just giving him 5.7×4 or some less. At this point, Vrana is as good a scoring talent as Mantha, though much less fan fare. Paying assets to move Panik could’ve been its own separate deal, instead of balancing the salary for this super risky Caps deal.
Too early to tell how this will work out. If the Caps win the Cup, they’ll look like geniuses.
Vrana is great when he’s on, but he lacks consistency on both sides of the puck and gets benched too often. He’s got potential and when he first came up, I was pretty excited about him. Washington doesn’t win the cup without him, but he never really took the next step after that. He’s still young enough though.
I am more impressed with Mantha putting up those numbers on a team with next to nothing around him. Vrana was on a team of all-stars going to a rebuilding club. Somehow, I don’t think he will thrive there at least not yet. Vrana has one goal in two games with Detroit and Mantha has four goals in four games plus an assist with Washington. Been very impressed with Mantha thus far.
I think we won’t know who truly won this trade for a couple years, but I don’t think Vrana will outplay Mantha provided he can stay healthy.