New Jersey Devils Secure Anthony Mantha With $9.5 Million Two-Year Agreement

Forward Anthony Mantha joins the New Jersey Devils on a multi-year deal following a career-best 33-goal performance and a successful recovery from knee surgery.

The New Jersey Devils finalized a two-year contract with forward Anthony Mantha on Wednesday, worth a total of $9.5 million. This financial commitment breaks down into a $5.4 million salary for the 2025-26 NHL season, followed by a $4.1 million payout during the 2026-27 campaign. The 31-year-old winger arrives in Newark after a stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he recorded a career-high 33 goals and 64 total points. During that specific tenure under coach Dan Muse, the Quebec-born skater averaged 15:11 of ice time per night while primarily operating on the third offensive unit.

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 240 pounds, the left-shot forward brings 11 seasons of professional experience to the Devils' roster. His statistical profile includes 179 career goals across 507 regular-season appearances. The Detroit Red Wings originally brought the Longueuil native into the league as the 20th overall selection in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft. He remained a fixture in the Red Wings lineup for over five years before a high-profile trade sent him to the Washington Capitals in April 2021.

Mantha’s journey through the Metropolitan Division continued with three seasons in the nation’s capital before he was moved to the Vegas Golden Knights in March 2024. Following his time in Nevada, he signed a one-year free-agent deal with the Calgary Flames in July 2024. However, his time in Western Canada was cut short after just 13 games due to a season-ending ACL injury that required surgical intervention. Despite the physical setback, his previous performance metrics demonstrated elite finishing ability, particularly during his breakout year in Pittsburgh where he surpassed the 30-goal plateau for the first time.

On the international stage, the veteran winger has been a frequent contributor to Team Canada’s success. He earned a silver medal at the 2019 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championships in Slovakia, a tournament where he served as a primary offensive threat. His resume also features participation in the 2012 and 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, highlighting a long-standing relationship with his national governing body. These global competitions provided a foundation for a career that has now spanned four different NHL franchises prior to joining New Jersey.

Postseason reliability remains a key component of Mantha’s value proposition. He has logged playoff minutes for the Capitals, Golden Knights, and Penguins over the last six years, providing a heavy physical presence in tight-checking series. The Devils’ front office targeted his specific combination of size and scoring touch to bolster their middle-six forward group. By securing his services through his age-33 season, the organization is betting on a full return to form following his knee rehabilitation.

Statistically, Mantha’s efficiency during his most recent healthy stretch was notable for his lack of reliance on power-play production, as a significant portion of his 64 points came at even strength. His ability to maintain a 240-pound frame while keeping pace with modern transition play makes him a unique asset in the Eastern Conference. The contract structure reflects a front-loaded approach, paying out the majority of the $9.5 million total in the first twelve months of the deal. As the Devils look to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will rely on the 179-goal veteran to provide the secondary scoring that defined his peak years in Detroit and Pittsburgh.