The Washington Capitals are continuing to pursue a playoff spot, but they've decided to trade one of their top forwards.
Anthony Mantha, who is playing in the final year of his current contract, has been dealt to the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, according to multiple reports.
And now, the details of the trade have been made public. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Capitals are getting a second-round and fourth-round draft selection in return.
Vegas had been in the market for another forward thanks to the absences of Mark Stone and Jack Eichel, both of whom are unavailable due to injury.
In 56 games played this season, Mantha has scored 20 goals to go with 16 assists. It's the first time that he's reached the 20 goal plateau since a career high output of 25 as a member of the Detroit Red Wings in 2018-19. He was originally seen as a franchise cornerstone of the Red Wings, who signed him to his current contract prior to the 2020-21 season.
Less than a season into the deal, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman shipped him to Washington, where he would soon draw the ire of now-former head coach Peter Laviolette, being designated a healthy scratch on multiple occasions. The 27 points in 67 games played were by far the lowest statistical output for him in a near full NHL season.
He's been able to enjoy a bounce-back year in the final season of his deal, and now gets a chance to pursue the Stanley Cup with the defending champions.
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