Anthony Mantha reveals why he shocked everyone with latest contract

When Anthony Mantha hit unrestricted free agency on July 1st, the hockey world largely expected one of two outcomes. Either the Quebec native would fulfill a childhood dream by joining the Montreal Canadiens, or he would circle back to the Pittsburgh Penguins. But neither scenario played out.

Mantha instead put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the New Jersey Devils, carrying a $4.75 million average annual value. The destination surprised virtually everyone who had been tracking his free agency.

Now the veteran forward is explaining what drove the decision, and it comes down to something deeply personal.

According to reporter Amanda Stein, Mantha said securing a multi-year commitment was critically important to him because he has three young children. That family-first priority appears to have been the deciding factor in where he landed.

The Canadiens were widely considered the front runner throughout the negotiation window. Montreal reportedly had no issue with Mantha's salary demands, but the term he wanted was where talks stalled. Pittsburgh, too, was believed to be interested in bringing him back, though a deal never materialized.

New Jersey, meanwhile, was working quietly in the background. The Devils had not been prominently mentioned in the rumor mill surrounding Mantha's free agency, which made the announcement all the more striking when it dropped. The front office apparently found the sweet spot that other suitors could not, offering the multi-year security Mantha prioritized while keeping the term short enough to manage organizational risk.

From the Devils' perspective, the signing fills a clear need. The club has been searching for additional offensive firepower, and Mantha's combination of size and finishing touch gives them a legitimate scoring threat to plug into their forward group. If his recent productive stretch carries forward, the $4.75 million price tag could look like a bargain.

The two-year structure also fits a familiar pattern for high-profile free agents who cannot lock in the long-term deal they initially seek. A shorter contract at a premium rate gives the player a chance to re-establish his value before testing the market again.

It’s good to see that Mantha has the stability he wanted for his family, and the Devils have quietly added one of the more intriguing pieces of the offseason heading into 2026-2027.