Anthony Mantha Can Revitalize Devils’ Top Six

On Wednesday morning, the New Jersey Devils announced yet another major move, signing Anthony Mantha to a two-year contract. General manager (GM) Sunny Mehta is once again setting the team up for success in 2026-27, this time acquiring a high-end winger capable of boosting offensive production. 

Following a standout season, Mantha was one of the most talked-about unrestricted free agents (UFA) in the league. For the next two seasons, he can provide something that the Devils have had a shortage of within their top six: flexibility. Here are a few reasons why he could prove to be a valuable addition.

High-End Goalscoring & Offensive Upgrade

First and foremost, Mantha’s 64 points from last season marked a career high for the 31-year-old right wing. His 33-goal total ranked first among the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it would have also made him the Devils’ leading goal scorer, just ahead of Nico Hischier’s 28.

What immediately stands out is the possibility that he could slot in among Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, a high-scoring duo that dominated New Jersey’s offense last season. Mantha is certainly no stranger to generating chemistry with star players. Despite spending most of his time on the third line, he played over 300 minutes with Evgeni Malkin, resulting in a 71.11 goals for percentage (GF%) and a 57.96 shots for percentage (SF%).

Anthony Mantha is a Devil! 🔥@TonyLuftman and @BJaffe discuss the @NJDevils signing Mantha after coming off of a career-high 33 goals, 64 point season.

📺: #NHLTonight on NHL Network pic.twitter.com/AEGSkDERrm

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) July 16, 2026

Mantha was also on the ice for a total of 96 Penguins’ goals, averaging 3.12 points and 7.41 shots on goal every 60 minutes. And considering that he scored a whopping 14.7 goals above expected, there’s a good chance that he can bring some top-notch offense to the Devils’ roster. Something else that should excite Devils’ fans is that 73.4% of his points came in 5-on-5 situations, an area that the team struggled with last season.

Having another tried-and-true goalscorer could take the team one step closer to playoff contention. Mantha is an elite veteran wing who could complete the missing link in the Devils’ top six, offering a steady presence on Hughes’ wing.

Potential Power-Play Contributor

One important area where Mantha can make an impact is on the power play. He tied his personal best of 13 points on the man advantage last season, which he originally set in 2018-19 with the Detroit Red Wings.

With the Devils, he’s expected to log significant power-play minutes, and his size and finishing ability pose major advantages. At 6-foot-5, he’ll offer a strong net-front presence, but he’s also known for his ability to fire rebounds into the back of the net. Mantha plays with a level of grit in high-danger areas that will make the Devils even harder to play against.

He was responsible for seven power-play goals, 58 shot attempts, and 37 scoring chances last season. His contributions even played a major role in the Penguins’ playoff push. Meaning, he could become a staple on the second unit for the Devils.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe could certainly benefit from new line combinations on the man advantage. Mantha can supply depth and experience, with the option of moving to the first unit depending on his chemistry with Hughes and Bratt. However, Mantha will most likely decrease Connor Brown’s ice time on the power play, allowing him to focus more on secondary scoring and the penalty kill.

Low-Risk Contract Yields Flexibility

Perhaps the biggest benefit of signing Mantha is the overall flexibility it gives the organization. His $4.75 million average annual value (AAV) leaves Mehta with $3.85 million in available cap space, which is more than enough to acquire at least one more supporting player. It’s also worth noting that Mantha’s contract does not have any trade protection, something that Mehta’s predecessor Tom Fitzgerald eagerly handed out.

After years of trying to find another top wing, the Devils are taking a chance on Mantha, and his skill set should increase their playoff chances. He offers an immediate top-six upgrade, supporting the “win-now” mentality that the team is adopting for the upcoming offseason.

Having a player of his caliber on the first or second line will also come in handy in the event of injury, which has been one of the team’s most pressing issues in recent seasons. Should they need to adapt in the absence of a star forward, Mantha has the versatility to move within the lineup and fill in any roster gaps. His above-average shooting percentage also ensures that the Devils will have a better chance at maintaining offensive pressure and capitalizing on scoring chances.

Looking Ahead to 2026-27

This has been one of the Devils’ most active offseasons in recent years, optimizing the lineup one move at a time. In a matter of months, Mehta drafted a strong class of players, traded a heavily criticized extension off the books, added depth scoring, and now has a highly coveted top-six wing in Mantha. His vision as GM is slowly coming to fruition, and now that the 2026-27 schedule has been released, the countdown to Devils hockey is officially on.