Selected 60 picks earlier than his QMJHL counterpart (Duclair), Anthony Mantha was finally plucked off the board by the Detroit Red Wings in a draft where he was a main focal point for onlookers and decision makers alike.

Mantha held the spotlight as he was easily the biggest enigma of all draft eligible players in 2013, possessing unparalleled goal-scoring ability, but also a tremendous ability to disappear for extended periods of time.

Going back to his inaugural season of full-time duty in the Q, Mantha scored 51 points in 63 games (22,29,minus-11) for a Val D’Or team that finished under .500.

Mantha exploded onto the scene the following year, amping his point total all the way to 89, including 50 goals (39 assists), in 67 games.

The giant Mantha made his name known across Canada quickly, which tends to happen when you’re 6-5 204 lbs, and pot 50 in your draft year.

Last season, Mantha’s final year of CHL hockey, Mantha pulled off the Rocket Richard feat, a goal per game. Mantha netted 57 goals in 57 games, adding 63 assists for an outstanding 120 point campaign, including 24 goals in 24 playoff games as well (14 assists).

The lefty likes to play on his off-wing, reminiscent of Alex Kovalev, using that reach to put the puck into space, and that excellent release to beat vulnerable goaltenders.

Like Kovalev, Mantha is beast of a goal scorer, but can also play the invisible man. As witnessed last year at the WJC, Mantha went from first line hero with a hat-trick in one game, to 13th forward / pinch-hitter for a desperation goal after riding the pine for the majority of the game.

His size, skating, natural hockey sense and positional ability allow him to get to, and capitalize on opportunities around him, and his impressive shot inflates those totals as he beats tenders with snappers from the blue line. The kind of play that just seems to remind you of those overage Cuban teens slinging fastballs against pitiful Little Leaguers.

His defensive game leaves much to be desired (to be generous), and his work ethic has often been questioned, as Mantha knows he can rely on his goal contributions to get by, but that won’t work at the professional level.

If he played to his absolute best every shift, he would easily be top five draft talent, but such isn’t the case, and his flaws had him drop to 20.

Mantha was lucky to be drafted by the Red Wings as their drafting pedigree and his weaknesses match up quite well for success. The Wings will get it right with this kid, as they so often do, and in this case it will really pay off.

Mantha missed eight weeks recently due to a broken tibia, but has since returned to the lineup and notched two goals in six games for Grand Rapids. 

Detroit is always looking for scoring power, and if a young player is ready for it, they will give them the opportunity.  Word on the street is that if Mantha’s play continues to ascend In the coming weeks, Ken Holland won’t hesitate to give a call to the Griffin’s requesting the services of the organizations former first rounder.

Expect Mantha to be make a name for himself over the next two seasons with his goal scoring ability, and could be a serious scoring threat for years. Think Corey Perry meets Thomas Vanek.

Fantasy expectations: Jeff Carter to Corey Perry numbers, if the pieces continue to fall in place.

Mantha’s DobberProspects profile