Overview
- The New Jersey Devils signed Anthony Mantha on Wednesday, July 15, to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million that carries a $4.75 million cap hit.
- The deal pays Mantha $5.4 million in 2026–27 and $4.1 million in 2027–28 and includes no trade protection, which keeps the club’s options open.
- Mantha arrives off a career-best 2025–26 season with Pittsburgh in which he played 81 games and scored 33 goals and 64 points, making him a likely top-six finisher for New Jersey.
- Durability and playoff production remain concerns because Mantha missed significant time in prior seasons, including an ACL tear, and has 0 goals and 7 assists in 20 career playoff games.
- The signing reshapes New Jersey’s forward group and projected lines—Mantha is the natural complement to playmakers like Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt—and leaves the Devils with roughly $3.8–$4.0 million in remaining cap space for further moves.