Chris Drury was adamant during his availability with media that his work improving the New York Rangers wasn't done yet, and with Anthony Mantha still available as a free agent, there is no reason why the Blueshirts should give him a contract offer. New York doesn't have a ton of other work left to do, and while their forward group has improved, a player like Mantha could take things to another level.
Mantha fits the profile of what Rangers are looking for
Mantha is 6'5", 240 pounds, and just finished a career year in which he scored 33 goals and added 31 assists for 64 points in 81 games. It marked the fifth time he'd scored at least 20 goals in a season, and prior to this year his career high in points was 48.
Mantha turns 32 in September, and in his career to date he's made stops in Detroit, Washington, Pittsburgh, Vegas, and Calgary. While there's a risk going after an older player coming off a career year, that he's still available suggests that he could be signed on a deal that doesn't break the bank.
Underlying metrics are in Mantha's favor
While there's concern about the top line numbers being a flash in the pan, his underlying numbers in recent years suggest he'd be a great fit for New York. This year he posted a 57.16 GF%, a 48.82 CF%, and a 50.75 xGF% per Evolving-Hockey. He generated 3.66 goals for per 60 minutes of play, and conceded 2.47 goals against. The Rangers could use someone that brings that type of firepower, and given the additions they've made on defense, and the goalie they have in net, they can afford to take a gamble who can be all gas and no brakes at times.
Mantha only appeared in 13 games the year prior due to an injury, and it that short span he had a 73.13 GF%, a 46.74 CF%, and a 54.47 xGF% with Calgary. If you go back to his last full season before this one, Mantha had a 58.1 GF%, 50.76 CF%, and a 54.85 xGF% in 74 games with the Capitals and later on the Golden Knights.
Rangers wing depth would become stronger
As this stand currently, the top wingers on the team include Pavel Dorofeyev, Alexis Lafrenière, Gabe Perreault, and Oliver Bjorkstrand. After that you have a combination of names that includes Will Cuylle, Tye Kartye, Taylor Raddysh, and Jaroslav Chmelař. It is possible the Rangers are trying to hold space for someone like Liam Greentree to prove himself in camp and earn a roster spot, but ideally he will spend a decent amount of time with the Wolf Pack first in Hartford.
In this hypothetical scenario, Mantha could join the team and compete for a top six job with Bjorkstand, and at the end of the day you'd still have another nice offensive option on your third line to work with Cuylle and likely Noah Laba.
While Mantha may be prioritizing money at this point, which would make sense given the year he just had, Drury would be smart to reach out with a phone call. The worst he can say is no, but the longer he remains out there, the more of an opportunity the Rangers have to try and make another sneaky good addition to their roster.
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