The Flames have reportedly signed the veteran power forward in the early stages of Monday’s free-agent frenzy. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, it’s a one-year contract with a cap-hit of US$3.5 million. The team has yet to announce the deal.
Mantha, a left-shot who is comfortable on either wing, has totalled 142 goals, 154 assists, 266 penalty minutes and 475 hits in 494 career contests at the NHL level. He is a big dude at 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds and turns 30 in September.
The new guy split last season between the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights, collecting 23 goals and 44 points in 74 games.
Flames general manager Craig Conroy repeated several times in the lead-up to Canada Day that he didn’t intend on throwing around a bunch of long-term offers. On a one-year pact, Mantha could prove to be a savvy investment.
He’ll certainly add some physicality and could be auditioned as a net-front presence on the power-play. If he puts up solid numbers, he could be flipped at the trade deadline for a future asset.