The Grind Line: Should the Red Wings Trade Mantha?

What’s The Grind Line? Apart from the once-famous line of Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, and either Joe Kocur or Darren McCarty, The Grind Line is also The Hockey Writers’ weekly column about the Detroit Red Wings. This week Tony Wolak, Devin Little, Patrick Brown, and Kyle Knopp are the muckers who make up THW’s forechecking unit and sound off on Red Wings topics.

As Detroit’s rebuild progresses, you have to wonder when it’s going to end – when exactly are the Red Wings going to be a contender again? If that’s not for a few years, you have to wonder which current Red Wings will be part of that team. 

Now 26, Anthony Mantha could be on the decline when we see playoff action in Hockeytown again. So that begs the question, should the Red Wings trade Mantha and add to their prospect pipeline, potentially making future teams better?

In this week’s edition of The Grind Line, The Hockey Writers’ Red Wings coverage team evaluates the merits of trading Mantha. Does the hulking forward still fit into the long-term picture here in Detroit?

Tony Wolak: Yes, Before the Trade Deadline

First and foremost, the Red Wings shouldn’t settle on the best offer presented before the trade deadline. If there isn’t a good deal out there, walk away. However, if a team puts forth an outstanding offer for Mantha, Yzerman should pull the trigger.

Earlier this month, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta noted that the Los Angeles Kings have some interest in Mantha. If Rob Blake and the Kings offer a package centering around Los Angeles’ 2021 first-round pick plus one of Tobias Bjornfot, Arthur Kailyev, or Gabe Vilardi, Detroit should jump on it. More would need to be included, but those pieces would be remarkable gets for the rebuilding Red Wings.

Waiting until the offseason could be problematic. Yes, there may be more suitors overall, but Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres could complicate matters. Mantha would likely become a second priority for interested teams with Eichel possibly being available.

Kyle Knopp: No, Unless an Amazing Offer Comes In

This is not the time for the Red Wings to get sentimental when it comes to being afraid to trade guys. If there is an offer on the table for any player, especially Mantha, Yzerman should take it under careful consideration. 

With that said, unless the offer is too good to pass up, I believe the Wings have invested in rebuilding the team around Mantha and should continue down that path. Mantha is a 6-foot-5, 234 pound winger with speed that can play both sides, not something that comes around often in the NHL. When he is on his game, he is reminiscent of a young Rick Nash, a smooth-skating power forward with a quick shot release. 

A player like Mantha should yield a high return, but with the season he has been having this year, I’m not sure teams will be willing to offer as much. However, if one does come along and offer the right price, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Yzerman make the deal.

Should the Detroit Red Wings trade Anthony Mantha? Comment below.