The Detroit Red Wings made things official earlier this week, inking restricted free agent forward Anthony Mantha to a new four year extension.
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And while the hard-nosed forward makes his living scoring goals, he’s not been afraid to throw his weight around and drop the gloves. However, he’s injured himself in more than once instance during a fight, and the Red Wings would prefer to see him let his scoring touch do the talking for him.
“He’s one of our best players, a key player on our team,” GM Steve Yzerman said Wednesday. “Every contract negotiation is a little bit different and each player has different priorities, whether it’s term or what not. We were able to reach agreement on term that worked for both of us and a salary that worked for both of us.”
“All our guys should be trying to improve every year they play,” Yzerman said. “We’re trying to stress that. For Anthony, the biggest thing is, I want him to stay healthy. I’m sure he wants to stay healthy, too.”
Mantha has suffered injury troubles during his career, including a punctured lung last season after being tackled down to the ice by Toronto’s Jake Muzzin.
And with the new investment they’ve made in him, the Red Wings don’t want him to risk further injury.
“I think three of his injuries may have come in fights,” Yzerman said. “I don’t try to encourage our players to fight. I’m not telling him that he can’t — it’s a physical, emotional game and whether there’s fighting in any sport or not, sometimes it happens. Guys are competitive and intense.
“Anthony, when he’s healthy, he’s an important player, an impact player. We need him on the ice.
– – Quotes via Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press Link – –
