August is the quietest month in hockey, perfect for deeper looks at Detroit Red Wings players. Today’s focal point: Forward Anthony Mantha.
Looking back: 17 goals, 19 assists, 36 points, plus-10 in 60 games. Mantha fumbled a chance to start the season in Detroit with an uninspired performance in his last exhibition audition, but then went to the minors and put in a head-turning performance with eight goals and 10 points in 10 games. That got him a call-up from the Wings – and Mantha scored four games later. Other than a 10-game goal-less fraught, Mantha showed impressive goal-scoring consistency considering it was his first almost-full NHL season.