Mantha engaged with Jake Muzzin after a hit in the third period and ended up getting body-slammed to the ice by the Leafs' defenseman. Mantha's head hit the ice and remained down for a few minutes before being helped off of the ice. Sunday is the Red Wings' final game before the Christmas break, so it's entirely possible that he could be back for next Saturday's game in Florida but that is pure speculation at this point.
Mantha will return to the Red Wings lineup on Saturday, so they've sent Dylan McIlrath back to Grand Rapids to make room for Mantha to be activated. Mantha, who has 12 goals and 11 assists in 25 games this season, will skate with Valtteri Filppula and Filip Zadina in Montreal.
Mantha has missed the last eight games with lower-body injury but could play Saturday in Montreal. Mantha skated again on Friday and told reporters that he's been medically cleared but needs clearance from GM Steve Yzerman. The Red Wings went 1-7-0 and scored only 1.63 goals per game without Mantha.
Mantha was hurt early in Saturday's game in New Jersey on Saturday and is expected to be reevaluated in a "couple weeks." With Mantha out, the Red Wings called up their top prospect, Filip Zadina, who could get an extended look in the top-6.
Head coach Jeff Blashill didn't have much of an update on Mantha but did say that "he definitely won't play (Sunday)" and that he'll be "out for a little bit of time." With Adam Erne also hurt, the Red Wings will likely need to recall a forward for Sunday's game or dress seven defensemen.
Mantha has been out since December 2nd, missing the last 14 games with a hand injury but will play Friday vs. the Predators. Mantha has scored nine goals and five assists (14 points) in 27 games this season.
Mantha broke his had in a fight with Patrik Nemeth on Sunday and will miss at least one month. With Mantha out, Gustav Nyquist will move to the top-line on Tuesday and Luke Witkowski will dress as a seventh defenseman.
Mantha will miss Tuesday’s game against the Lightning with an undisclosed injury but GM Ken Holland said the winger could possibly be out long-term. Mantha will be re-evaluated later in the day and the Red Wings should provide more details on the nature of the injury. With Mantha out, rookie Michael Rasmussen could take on an expanded role but this injury is devastating for a Red Wings team that was playing better than most people expected.
Mantha is coming off of his best season as a pro, scoring 24 goals with 24 assists (48 points) in 80 games. The 23-year-old, former first-round pick has 30-30 potential and is a key part of the Red Wings’ future and rebuild. Mantha is locked into a top-6 spot in Detroit and graded out as the No.31 RW in the NHL—meaning he is a low-end first-liner/high-end second-liner as he enters his third NHL season.
Mantha has missed the last two games but he took the ice for Tuesday’s practice and said that he will play tonight vs. the Senators. Mantha had a hot-start to the season, picking up 10 goals and nine assists (19 points) in his first 19 games, but has just five points (3G / 2A) in his last 17 games. He is expected to skate on a line with Dylan Larkin and Tomas Tatar.
Mantha was on the ice for the Red Wings morning skate and said that he is feeling better, but won't play tonight. Mantha is hopeful that he will return on Wednesday and his absence tonight means Tyler Bertuzzi will remain on the top line.
Mantha is dealing with a “nagging” injury according to head coach Jeff Blashill, leaving him as a game-time decision vs. the Rangers. Monitor Mantha’s status when the Red Wings hit the ice for warmups at 7:00 pm ET.
Mantha has easily been one of the Red Wings best forwards this season and this is a questionable decision considering they are out of the playoff race. Mantha said that the decision was due to his “compete” level. Mitch Callahan will replace him in the lineup.
Mantha, 22, has been off to a great start in Grand Rapids, scoring eight goals with two assists (10 points) in the first 10 games of the season. In 10 NHL games a season ago, Mantha collected two goals and one assist. He has been recalled because Andreas Athanasiou has been placed on IR with a lower-body injury. Mantha should make his season debut on Saturday.
Mantha made a strong case to make the Red Wings’ opening night roster, scoring three goals in five preseason games, but the Red Wings’ deep forward group will force Mantha to start the year in the AHL. The 22-year-old had 21 goals and 24 assists (45 points) in 60 games with the Griffins last season.
