​The Montreal Canadiens could be an intriguing option for free-agent signing to strengthen their offense. After a relatively quiet offseason, Montreal could still use an additional forward who provides secondary scoring. NHL analyst Josh Wegman of theScore even called the Canadiens the best fit to sign Anthony Mantha. In Wegman’s view, Mantha was already among his pre-July 1 predictions to join the Habs, and nearly two weeks into the free-agent period, it still made sense. Montreal hasn’t landed a noteworthy forward yet this summer, and Mantha’s combination of size and two-way play could fit well on the second line with Ivan Demidov. While Mantha may not command the long-term deal he once sought, Montreal could offer a familiar, comfortable setting. He is a Quebec native, and Canadiens GM Kent Hughes was once his agent, which could help the fit both on and off the ice, Wegman wrote.
Mantha’s Quebec roots would likely win him fan support and add reliable secondary scoring to a Canadiens lineup that could use a boost. The 6-foot-5 winger brings size to the roster, and although he tallied 33 goals last season, he remains a free agent. His career has had its ups and downs, with a down year preceding his 33-goal season, but if he could sustain a 20-plus goal pace in Montreal, he would be a valuable, cost-conscious addition given his current free-agent status.
Montreal did reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season and now aims to build on that promise. Canadiens president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton expressed that Montreal has proven to be an attractive destination for players. “I think it’s an opportunity for us,” Gorton said at season’s end about the environment in Montreal. “To play that way and go on this run, our fans showed the rest of the league what an impressive place this is to play. And if you’re a National Hockey League player and you’re looking around, this would be a place I would think would be at the top of their list based on what we just showed them.”
Even with Montreal’s appeal, the club has not been aggressive in adding new talent, instead focusing on re-signing their own players. The Canadiens currently have more than $13 million in cap space available. While Mantha delivered a standout offensive season last year, his free-agent market has not heated up as quickly as some might have expected.
Some analysts have weighed in on the potential risks. Carter Hutton, a former NHL goaltender and current analyst, cautioned that Mantha’s inconsistency could be a red flag. “I think at his age and the inconsistency we’ve seen in the past, it’s probably buyer beware. If you’re Anthony Mantha, you’re probably waiting to see where the dust settles as well,” Hutton remarked on DailyFaceoff Live. He noted that there would still be ample cap space for teams, and even a one-year deal could be beneficial for Mantha as he positions himself for a more lucrative future if his production rebounds.