Sorry we’ve been missing the last few days but now that even the kiddos are done with school it’s time to hand out more Washington Capitals report cards. Today we’ll grade Anthony Mantha’s first full season with the Caps.
Mantha was brought in at the trade deadline of 2021 in exchange for Jakub Vrana and some draft picks. He did pretty good at first in the transition coming from the Detroit Red Wings to the Capitals, scoring a goal in his first four games.
The 2021-22 season saw Mantha miss a lot of time with shoulder surgery in November. He did play in 37 games and when he returned to the Caps in the beginning of March he gave them a spark. Mantha finished with nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points. He definitely would’ve had more if he didn’t miss that significant time.
In the playoffs Mantha had four assists in six games. He had good advanced stats in the regular season. His Corsi For percentage came out to 53.89 percent, his Expected Goals For percentage at 53.35 percent and his High Danger Chances For percentage came out to 48.54 percent, per Natural Stat Trick.
In the playoffs Mantha’s Corsi For percentage came out to 50.63 percent, which was the second best on the team behind Conor Sheary. His Expected Goals For percentage came out to 55.95 percent and his High Danger Chances For percentage was at 48.65 percent.
The Caps were banged up all season and they hope for more health next season. But Tom Wilson will already be out for six to eight months so it’ll be important for guys like Mantha and T.J. Oshie to step up after they missed significant time last season.
I still think it’s too early to tell who won the trade. Vrana was injured much of the season too and had 13 goals in 26 games with the Red Wings. I think it’s 50/50 and both teams have benefitted with their respective player.
Grade B: Mantha didn’t play much but when he did he stepped up when he had to. The Caps will be looking for more from Mantha next season. Hopefully he brings it so we can give him an A a year from now.