Anthony Mantha lands surprising new deal no one saw coming

Ever since Anthony Mantha became a free agent on July 1st, rumours not only linked him to a possible return with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but most importantly, sent him to the possible childhood dream of playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

However on Wednesday morning, Mantha signed a two-year contrat with the New Jersey Devils, which carries a $4.75M AAV.

The Devils were not among the clubs most frequently linked to Mantha during the extended negotiation period. Much of the speculation had centered on the Canadiens, where the Quebec native would have been a natural fit in the top six. Reports suggested Montreal's hesitation revolved around the term Mantha was seeking, not the dollar figure.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were also believed to be in the mix, hoping to get Mantha to return.

New Jersey, however, appears to have found common ground with the forward on a shorter pact. The two-year structure aligns with what many analysts predicted would eventually happen. When a high-profile free agent cannot secure the long-term commitment he wants, the fallback is often a prove-it deal at a premium annual rate.

For the Devils, the move adds a proven goal scorer to a roster that has been looking for more offensive punch. Mantha's size and finishing ability could slot neatly into their forward group, and the modest term limits the organization's risk if his recent resurgence turns out to be an outlier.

Still, the Devils as a landing spot is the part of this story that raised eyebrows. New Jersey had not been prominently mentioned in the rumor mill surrounding Mantha, and the signing suggests the front office may have been working quietly behind the scenes while public attention focused elsewhere.

The lengthy wait is over for Mantha, and the Devils have added an intriguing piece to their lineup heading into the 2026-2027 season.