The Penguins signed winger Anthony Mantha to a one-year deal on Wednesday.
The deal carries a base salary of $2.5 million, with more performance bonuses possible. According to PuckPedia, the bonuses are structured so that Mantha receives $250,000 for every 10 games played, maxing out at a total of $2 million if he plays in 80 games.
Performance bonuses are only eligible to be given to players on entry-level deals, players 35+ on a one-year deal, or players with at least 400 games played on a one-year deal who also spent at least 100 days on long-term injured reserve the previous year. Mantha, 30, is the latter. He was limited to 13 games with the Flames after undergoing ACL surgery in November.
In Mantha's last full season, 2023-24, he was productive. He recorded 34 points (20 goals, 14 assists) in 56 games with the Capitals, then 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 18 games with the Golden Knights after the Capitals shipped him there for a second- and fourth-round pick.
The Mantha deal isn't exactly what Kyle Dubas said on Monday that they'd be targeting -- he said they'd likely stay away from players on one-year deals, and players in their 30s. It just doesn't fit in with what they're aiming to do here.
But what does fit in? Draft picks. Mantha is a buy-low, low-risk for the Penguins, given that they likely still won't be contending regardless during the length of Mantha's deal. But Mantha, given his recent history, has the potential to rebound and be a high reward. And if he does, then that brings the potential for flipping him at the deadline for picks just like Washington did last year.
THE ASYLUM
Mantha inks bonus-laden, one-year deal
The Penguins signed winger Anthony Mantha to a one-year deal on Wednesday.
The deal carries a base salary of $2.5 million, with more performance bonuses possible. According to PuckPedia, the bonuses are structured so that Mantha receives $250,000 for every 10 games played, maxing out at a total of $2 million if he plays in 80 games.
Performance bonuses are only eligible to be given to players on entry-level deals, players 35+ on a one-year deal, or players with at least 400 games played on a one-year deal who also spent at least 100 days on long-term injured reserve the previous year. Mantha, 30, is the latter. He was limited to 13 games with the Flames after undergoing ACL surgery in November.
In Mantha's last full season, 2023-24, he was productive. He recorded 34 points (20 goals, 14 assists) in 56 games with the Capitals, then 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 18 games with the Golden Knights after the Capitals shipped him there for a second- and fourth-round pick.
The Mantha deal isn't exactly what Kyle Dubas said on Monday that they'd be targeting -- he said they'd likely stay away from players on one-year deals, and players in their 30s. It just doesn't fit in with what they're aiming to do here.
But what does fit in? Draft picks. Mantha is a buy-low, low-risk for the Penguins, given that they likely still won't be contending regardless during the length of Mantha's deal. But Mantha, given his recent history, has the potential to rebound and be a high reward. And if he does, then that brings the potential for flipping him at the deadline for picks just like Washington did last year.
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