Overview
- Multiple outlets reported this weekend that BPM Sports analyst Marc-Olivier Beaudoin said the Montreal Canadiens have expressed interest in Anthony Mantha on a short-term deal.
- Mantha, 31, remains an unsigned unrestricted free agent after a career-best 2025–26 season in which he scored 33 goals and posted 64 points in 81 games.
- Beaudoin’s account says the Canadiens would only offer a short-term contract while Mantha is seeking a medium- to long-term deal, creating a clear contract-length mismatch.
- Penguins GM Kyle Dubas indicated in May that Mantha is unlikely to return to Pittsburgh, which leaves Mantha dependent on the thin post–July 1 free-agent market.
- Teams weighing Mantha’s rebound against his 2024–25 ACL injury, age and past inconsistency are expected to prefer one-year ‘prove-it’ deals or short two-year pacts rather than long-term commitments.