After holding out for term, the veteran sniper brings his career-best production to Newark, bolstering the Devils' offense while remaining a persistent threat to his divisional rivals.
One of the bigger shocks of this NHL free agency period has been the number of players who remained on the market well after July 1.
One of those players was forward Anthony Mantha, who set career highs across the board with 33 goals and 31 assists for 64 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The reason Mantha, 31, was still available was that his camp was looking for more than a one-year deal.
On Wednesday morning, Mantha signed a two-year deal with the New Jersey Devils worth $4.75 million annually, remaining in the New York Islanders' division.
Mantha recorded three goals and two assists for five points in three games against the Islanders in 2025-26.
In 23 career games against Long Island, Mantha has recorded 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points.
