REPORT: Red Wings nearing bridge deal with Mantha; open to trading down in Draft
The Detroit Red Wings own the No.6 overall pick in this summer’s draft, but they may trade down.
The Red Wings are also reportedly nearing a contract extension with a former first-round pick, Anthony Mantha. Mantha is one of many restricted free agents in Detroit this summer, but according to The Athletics’ Craig Custance, he may be the first to sign.
The 23-year-old is coming off of his best season as a pro, having scored 24 goals with 24 assists (48 points) in 80 games. Mantha projects to be a future 30-30 player, but his development has been slower than the Red Wings had hoped. Because of this, the Red Wings are hoping to sign him to a bridge deal to make him earn the big payday.
The Red Wings already own seven draft picks in the first three rounds of this summer’s draft, but they may look to stock the cupboards even more. Detroit currently owns the sixth pick, but GM Ken Holland may move down to acquire one or more additional draft picks. This wouldn’t be a huge surprise because Holland is no stranger to trading down on Draft Day. Since 2009, the Red Wings have traded down three times.
- 2009 — Traded the No.29 overall pick to Tampa Bay for the No.32 pick and No. 75 pick.
- 2011 — Traded the No.24 pick to Ottawa for the No.35 pick and No.48 pick.
- 2016 — Traded the No.16 overall pick and Pavel Datsyuk’s contract to Arizona for the No.20 pick, a second-round pick and Joe Vitale.
In addition to nearing an extension with Mantha, Custance also reports that the Red Wings are hoping to bring back veteran defenseman and pending unrestricted free agent Mike Green. The 32-year-old is coming off of a three-year, $18M ($6.0M AAV) deal with the Red Wings. During that stretch, Green was tied for 25th among defensemen in goals (29) and tied for 35th in points (104). The Red Wings have a wealth of young defensemen who are nearing their time in the NHL, but they are in need of an offensively-minded right-hand defenseman like Green.
