Mantha's name continues to come up in trade talks for the Capitals.
The Washington Capitals are having a bit of a wild and rocky start to the 2023-24 campaign, and as they continue to navigate growing pains and new systems, the team is reportedly still looking to move Anthony Mantha.
Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Capitals would like to move Mantha, who is in a contract year and carries a cap hit of $5.75 million.
Mantha started the season as a fringe forward in the lineup, but cap complications and injuries have led to him playing five of six games on the team's fourth line. However, a breakout performance featuring a goal and assist in Wednesday's chaotic win over the New Jersey Devils earned him more shifts and ice time, something he was not getting easily to open the campaign.
The 29-year-old had been the subject of trade rumors all offseason, with general manager Brian MacLellan admitting that 2022-23 was disappointing for Mantha and that the team was looking to revamp the top-6. Washington had been aggressive in trying to make a move over the course of the offseason and pushed hard to make a move at the draft, but nothing ever came to fruition.
This offseason, Mantha focused on his nutrition and dropping weight in order to increase his speed. He also worked with a mental coach in order to improve his confidence and approach, and he noted that he had big goals to bounce back and show the team that he can be a top-6 contributor. Carbery noted that he wanted to see the same from Mantha, saying that he was an offense-first player and that he had to score and create.
Ultimately, moving Mantha won't be easy, given his heavy cap hit and inconsistency since arriving in D.C. However, he does show upside, and if continues to trend upward, his stock could go up.