(Terrebonne) Anthony Mantha is the first to admit it, without any restraint: for him, the last season has been rather trying.
“It was difficult for me,” he admitted on the sidelines of Serge Savard’s golf tournament, presented Tuesday in Terrebonne. I need a big season, we won’t hide it. […] This is my last year of contract, and I would like that, to come back strong after my last season. »
Coming back, in his case, what does that mean? Leaving means doing better than the 27 points in 67 games he had last season. Moreover, the Washington Capitals forward does not hesitate to openly say that he is aiming for 60 points, which would be a peak for him since his arrival in the National League in 2015-2016.
It should be understood that since his acquisition by the Capitals from the Detroit Red Wings in 2021, Mantha has admittedly not played up to expectations, although injuries have not helped his cause.
“My goal is to get 60 points this season, and after that it’s going to be to sign a long-term contract somewhere,” he adds confidently.
To get there, he has already started to lose weight, he who believes that the 242 pounds he dragged last season on the ice of the NHL did not help his cause.
“I want to lose some weight, about ten pounds, so I can be faster next season. Last year, I found that my game was missing a little notch. So my new objective for the coming season is to be stronger, leaner, in order to be more explosive on the rink.
“It’s hard to explain, but I think I wasn’t there enough for my team last season, not involved enough. In terms of points, but also in terms of checks, in terms of all the little details like that. »
When asked what went wrong last season, he replies, “Not bad at all. “And we understand that Anthony Mantha is eager to be able to return to the ice in order to forget 2022-2023.
Among other misfortunes, a groin injury slowed him late in the season, and his poor production caused coach Peter Laviolette to drop him on several occasions. Laviolette has since been fired, and the Capitals have hired Spencer Carbery, who spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant. “We will try to put everything in place to allow the team to perform well,” he summed up about the new coach.
But no matter who is behind the bench, the Quebec player understands the situation very well: see you soon 29 years old, and after a very disappointing season, time is starting to press a little.
“I was able to take some time for myself this summer, but now I’m working hard in training. There’s still about a month to go before camp opens, and there’s no time to waste. The last year of the contract, for me, is a source of motivation, it’s almost a second chance after last season. But I know how to come back strong, and that’s what’s most important. »