UFA Forward Says He Waited for Offer Call From Canadiens… “They Never Did.”

The Montreal Canadiens had genuine interest in signing hometown winger Anthony Mantha this offseason — but ultimately let the pursuit die quietly. Mantha, a Longueil native, confirmed the talks himself during his introductory Zoom call after signing a two-year deal with the New Jersey Devils.

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“We did have talks. There was mutual interest, but when it came time to discuss years and numbers, they didn’t put an offer on the table, so we went in another direction,” Mantha told La Presse’s Richard Labbe. “We gave them a whole week to call us back, but they never did.”

The Canadiens were heavily rumored as the favorite to land Mantha. To many, it was more about when and not if. But, as time passed, it was becoming clear that if a deal was going to happen, why was it taking so long? The answer was that the Canadiens weren’t sold. So much so, they never actually made an offer.

The hesitation tracks with what Mantha revealed about his market more broadly. He was seeking a three- or four-year deal after having a 33-goal season with the Penguins. Hoping to capitalize on his big year and lock in security for his family, he was tired of bouncing through one-year contracts. He did so in Calgary and Pittsburgh, and he wanted something more stable. Teams weren’t willing to commit to more than two years. Some of that was age, some of it injury history and, the rest inconsistency.

For Montreal specifically, the fit might also have had something to do with their decision not to pursue a deal. Mantha’s game doesn’t often match his frame, and a Canadiens team built with a ton of skill was looking for more of a big body that could bang and crash. They also wanted someone who could prioritize responsible, well-rounded play, which isn’t really Manthan’s modus operandi.

Canadiens Said, “We’re Good, Thanks”

Interestingly, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said after free agency opened that it wasn’t for lack of trying the team hadn’t made any big moves yet this off-season. He added that they weren’t going to make a ‘dumb’ one to hurt them. Mantha was a player that wanted the Canadiens. They decided they didn’t want him. In other words, there was a move to be made there but the Habs must have placed whatever deal Mantha might have been looking for a dumb one.

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