[Signing] Flames sign Mantha (1 yr, $3.5 mil)

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Mantha has played at a 49 pt pace for his entire career. He had 44 pts in 74 games last year. Guys who put up 45 pts a year are paid $5M+, not $3M. Backlund is a career 44 pt per season, for comparison.

Not only was this a good, value signing, but we are going to trade him for free assets. It was a great signing by Conroy. Period. And all we are going to hear all year is complaints about him.

He probably signed the discounted deal because of his injury history and gaf meter every game.

Backlund doesn't have those concerns.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I also think Honzek can get bigger and more challenging to play against once/if he can fill out.

That's a good bet, he's still 19

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

He probably signed the discounted deal because of his injury history and gaf meter every game.

Backlund doesn't have those concerns.

Yeah, that's why Backlund is $5.5M and he's $3

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yeah, that's why Backlund is $5.5M and he's $3

That, and Backlund being an excellent defensive centre who drives play in all three zones and turns rookie linemates into seasoned pros.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

I’m going to get tarred and feathered for this, but I’d lock Mantha up long term. Like 5 years. He’s 30. He brings that rare combo of skill, size and grit. He’s perfect for the young guys to grow with. Unless he absolutely lights it up and we can get a king’s ransom, I’d rather keep him here for the rebuild.

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

But we were told he was lazy and we would hate him.

Laugh out Loud

Originally Posted by Sandman

As a long time Mantha fan, I'm not going to get too excited just yet. When he's on, he's borderline dominant, but therein lies the problem- he's far too often mailing it in. It would be unreasonable to expect him to play every game like he did last night, but he would be a force if he put in the same effort game after game. If Huska could motivate him to perform every night (and he seems to have every reason to put down roots with a new baby) I wouldn't have a problem if they extended him a few more years.

Yes, this.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

If Mantha CAN dial it back like Tkachuk realized he had to during the regular season and Pick his spots wisely he could be a very effective player.

Every player like that has to realize that they can't bring it every night.

I wouldn't worry about Mantha bringing it every night.

[Flamesfan05]

He brings it once a month

Mantha was benched in the last playoffs he was in. Those who thinks he has trade value at the TDL is hallucinating

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

He brings it once a month

Mantha was benched in the last playoffs he was in. Those who thinks he has trade value at the TDL is hallucinating

If he's on a 40 pt pace a team will definitely give up assets at the TDL to add depth. It won't be much, maybe a 3rd - but that's good management by Conroy. Mantha will be great some games, terrible some games, and average some games.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

I smile and shake my head when I watch him simply because you can see how great he can be. He has soft hands, good vision, slows the game down, big size. In a way he reminds of Bertuzzi who had really soft mitts for a big man.

But his urgency meter just doesn't register.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

First game, fantastic. Since then, meh.

It's a shame. He's got all the tools to be a great player. Can see why other teams gave up on him.

[FBI]

He can't hit the net to save his life..

[Hot_Flatus]

Not surprising he was available to the Flames at all. He's another big body that leaves so much on the table with effort level and brain farts.

It's a bit of a shame he's here really, I do agree with Coronato's agents comments to a degree. I'd rather have the younger player gaining valuable playing time in a season that is likely not going to amount to much then hoping for a sell high UFA situation with the older Mantha.

One of the first moves I'm starting to lean towards holding against Conroy in terms of not aligning with the direction. I get it was also another attempt to get Huberdeau going, but it shouldn't be at the expense of a first rounders playing time whether it's Honzek, Coronato, or even Pelletier.

[BigThief]

Pelletier looked bad in training camp. It would be fine if he was just okay, but the guy was invisible.

[Savvy27]

At least he's chronically inconsistent so we can probably look forward to some good games coming up as well.

I'm second guessing the pump and dump strategy now though. They aren't going to send him down anytime soon and even putting him in the fourth line seems contrary to the whole purpose of signing him. And now we've got Coronato, Pelletier, and Honzek who are all likely to be placed below him on the depth chart undeservedly for the next few months.

Doesn't seem like a 4th rounder is worth paying this guy $3.5M and pissing off a bunch of young guys.

[rollie619]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

At least he's chronically inconsistent so we can probably look forward to some good games coming up as well.

I'm second guessing the pump and dump strategy now though. They aren't going to send him down anytime soon and even putting him in the fourth line seems contrary to the whole purpose of signing him. And now we've got Coronato, Pelletier, and Honzek who are all likely to be placed below him on the depth chart undeservedly for the next few months.

Doesn't seem like a 4th rounder is worth paying this guy $3.5M and pissing off a bunch of young guys.

It reminds me of Blake Comeau all over again and remember how happy we were to get a 5th for him.

[GullFoss]

I don't understand why a rebuilding team would choose a guy like Mantha over giving the experience to a younger player. Sure...Mantha is flippable for a draft pick, but that seems penny wise, pound foolish to me because it's coming at the expense of developing the younger, talented players on the roster.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

I don't understand why a rebuilding team would choose a guy like Mantha over giving the experience to a younger player. Sure...Mantha is flippable for a draft pick, but that seems penny wise, pound foolish to me because it's coming at the expense of developing the younger, talented players on the roster.

You are making the assumption that the best development would happen on the main roster. I'm not sure that's the case, for the players we are talking about.

[JTech780]

I think the Mantha signing had very little to do with bringing in a flipable asset and everything to do with trying to find a way to get Huberdeau producing. I wouldn't even be surprised that if it was Huberdeau that asked management to sign Mantha.

They are so desparate to get Huberdeau going that they are willing to try anything at this point.

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

You are making the assumption that the best development would happen on the main roster. I'm not sure that's the case, for the players we are talking about.

Fair point, but with a log-jam on Honzek, Pelletier, Coronato, Keirns etc...could you not call up each player for 7-8 games instead of having someone like Mantha on the roster full time. Maybe full-on NHL duties they aren't ready for. But everyone can benefit from a little taste of the sweet life.

I guess they can do that anyways and just keep Mantha in the press box for games at a time.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

First game, fantastic. Since then, meh.

It's a shame. He's got all the tools to be a great player. Can see why other teams gave up on him.

And you can see why Huska has given up on him (he finished last game on the 4th line)