If Anthony Mantha unlocks Jonathan Huberdeau's offense, would the Calgary Flames dare trade Mantha?
As the Calgary Flames continue their 2024 pre-season, fans have taken notice of the emerging chemistry between NHL veterans Anthony Mantha and Jonathan Huberdeau. It's still early, but if they continue to work well together, it raises an intriguing question: what will the Flames do if this pairing flourishes?
Mantha, who joined the Flames on a one-year, $3.5 million contract, looks to be Huberdeau's new linemate. Mantha knows how to score and Huberdeau is an exceptional passer. In their debut game, the former notched a goal and an assist, while Huberdeau contributed three assists.
It feels like a perfect match on paper. The two will get another look on Saturday versus the Vancouver Canucks.
“It was just a good passing play, and I ended up scoring,” said Mantha, when asked about one of their successful conversions.
For Huberdeau, who is seeking to regain his form after a couple of challenging seasons, finding a reliable linemate like Mantha is essential. The Flames need Huberdeau to be more the 100-plus point player they thought they were getting, than the 50-ish point player they got; especially at a cost of $10.5 million per season.
For Mantha, having a good season is also imperative. He's looking to earn another contract, or be productive enough he's traded to a contender at the deadline.
The question arises: do the Flames trade Mantha if he's the key to unlocking Huberdeau?
The Flames might be reluctant to trade Mantha, even if they can sell high and it's the right decision as they go through a rebuild. If he's not a part of the long-term plans in Calgary, there is no reason to keep him. But, if there's a chance Huberdeau reverts after exploding for offense, the Flames have a problem.
Is Today's Chemistry More Important Than Future Assets?
Head coach Ryan Huska has emphasized the importance of developing chemistry, noting that practice and game time together will be crucial. Huberdeau agreed, noting, “Chemistry is going to go a long way.”
If the Flames can find the right balance, keeping Mantha might be more beneficial than trading him away. Not trading a productive Mantha also means losing out on the draft and prospects that Calgary could receive at the deadline.