Elliotte Friedman, the NHL's top insider who represents Sportsnet, woke the hockey world up with some news on Wednesday. The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Anthony Mantha. 

According to Friedman, it is a two-year deal with an average annual value of $4.75 million per year. The Devils have since confirmed it. 

In 2025-26, Mantha earned a nice payday for himself by staying healthy, scoring 33 goals, adding 31 assists for 64 points, and playing a key role in the Pittsburgh Penguins making it to the playoffs in somewhat surprising fashion. 

Mantha had great success playing wing next to stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at both even strength and on the power play, and now he'll move on to some younger centermen like Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier. 

It would be a lot to expect Mantha to cross the 30-goal plateau again, but bringing in someone good for 20-plus on a two-year deal is brilliant work by Sunny Mehta. If Mantha stays healthy, he dramatically improves New Jersey's top-six. 

New Jersey will be the sixth team that Mantha suits up for in his NHL career. He started his career with the Detroit Red Wings and played there for parts of six years. He followed that up with parts of four years with the Washington Capitals before cups of coffee with the Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, and Pittsburgh Penguins. 

In Pittsburgh at 31, Mantha proved he is still a great contributor when he's healthy. New Jersey now has him on a safe two-year deal as he tries to build on that success.  

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