The Edmonton Oilers still have work to do in free agency. With nearly $6 million in cap space remaining, general manager Stan Bowman is expected to keep searching for a top-six scoring winger, and one intriguing unrestricted free agent has emerged as a possible target.
Edmonton Oilers Linked to 64-Point UFA Forward
Anthony Mantha is coming off the best offensive season of his NHL career after recording 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After outperforming his one-year, $2.5 million contract, the 31-year-old is now looking for a longer-term deal.
Despite the career year, there are questions about whether Mantha can repeat that production. He scored on 21.7% of his shots last season, well above his career average of 13.8%, leading some teams to wonder if his breakout campaign was more of an outlier than a new normal.
NHL insider David Pagnotta recently discussed Mantha’s market, linking Edmonton as a potential landing spot.
“I think he was looking for a little longer, or has been looking for a little longer term. He wants some stability after putting up 64 points with the Penguins last year. I think some teams are curious. Was that a one-off… or is this really where you’re at? But because of that risk factor, it doesn’t seem like, and it hasn’t happened yet, that teams are willing to give him too much term,” Pagnotta said.
“Now, would you take a shot on a two-year deal? I think some teams would. I think the Oilers might be intrigued by that possibility,” he added.
If Edmonton can land Mantha on a short-term deal, the fit makes sense.
His powerful shot could be an ideal complement to Leon Draisaitl, giving the Oilers another finisher in the top six while creating better balance throughout the lineup.
Mantha also fills an area Edmonton needs most: five-on-five scoring. Most of his 33 goals came at even strength, an important asset for a team that already boasts one of the NHL’s most dangerous power plays.
However, there are legitimate concerns.
For a team focused on winning the Stanley Cup, playoff production carries significant weight. In 20 career postseason games, Mantha has yet to score a goal and has recorded just seven assists. Last season, he managed a solitary assist during Pittsburgh’s six-game first-round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
That lack of playoff production could make Bowman hesitant to commit to a long-term contract.
A short-term, high-value Jack Roslovic-esque “prove-it” deal would limit Edmonton’s risk while giving Mantha another opportunity to build on his career-best season.
But if the veteran winger continues to seek a three- or four-year commitment, the Oilers may be better served by keeping their cap space available for a trade later in the season or for another addition with a more reliable playoff track record.
