Former Penguin Mantha Signs with the Devils

I was grinding through what passes for a workout these days at Wright’s Gym when a fellow hockey nut approached me with the news that erstwhile Penguins forward Anthony Mantha had signed a two-year deal with New Jersey. Under terms of the contract, the big guy will receive $4.75 million per season from the Devils, ultra-reasonable for a 33-goal scorer.

Count me among what seems to be a very small minority who would like to have re-signed the hulking 6’5”, 240-pound winger.

Before I elaborate, let me say I understand perfectly well why Kyle Dubas didn’t. At the outset of free-agency, Mantha was likely seeking a six-million dollar salary with term. He’s nearing age 32 and coming off a career season he’s unlikely to duplicate. Especially given that he scored on a sizzling 21.7 percent of his shots, to say nothing of his checkered health background.

Then there’s Mantha’s history of coming up a cropper in the postseason, as he did for us last spring. Which seemed to seal his fate here.

I’m reminded that Rick Kehoe, one of the team’s all-time great snipers, failed to score a goal in his first 27 playoff games. I don’t recall anyone accusing “Ramblin’ Rick” of being a slacker. But I digress.

Despite all those provisos, I would’ve jumped at the chance to sign Mantha for what the Devils offered. Even if he dipped to say, 20 goals, I still think he would’ve been worth the investment. He appeared to provide lots of intangibles during his stay here.

Chomping on his ever-present mouthpiece and more often than not sporting a broad smile, he just seemed to a really good guy. One who would stick up for a teammate when push came to shove. Anthony genuinely seemed to enjoy playing for the Pens and coach Dan Muse in particular, who suggested prior to the season that he could score 30 goals.

Combined with his considerable bulk, which made him a load for opponents to handle, quite literally a larger-than-life character.

Being a Pens history buff, I even liked the fact that he’s the great-nephew of former Pens great Jean Pronovost.

I have no idea how the player we signed to replace Mantha, Andrei Kuzmenko, will pan out. He does have 39- and 22-goal seasons on his resume, albeit a few seasons back. He has hands and a scoring touch.

That similarity aside, a very different player.

We can only hope he’ll be as effective.