Anthony Mantha’s latest stop with the New Jersey Devils has hit a snag.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe said Mantha will “miss some time” after suffering a throat injury in Saturday’s 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders. The injury came midway through the third period on Long Island when Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech’s stick struck Mantha in the throat area. Pelech was given a two-minute minor for high-sticking, and Mantha left soon after without returning.
New Jersey was without the 32-year-old winger on Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, and the Devils adjusted by dressing 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Mantha signed a two-year deal with the Devils as an unrestricted free agent on July 15. The 6-foot-5 winger has produced five goals and 10 points in 17 games for New Jersey this season, and his contract runs through 2028 with a $4.75 million annual cap hit.
His arrival in New Jersey followed a career year with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025-26, when he posted 33 goals and 64 points. The Longueuil, Que. native has now skated for six NHL teams across 605 career games.
Detroit made Mantha the No. 20 pick in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft. He broke into the league with the Red Wings in 2015-16 and, over parts of six seasons in Detroit, topped the 20-goal mark twice before being traded to the Washington Capitals in 2021.
His time in Washington was interrupted by health issues, and he was later moved to the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2024 trade deadline. After that, he spent 13 games with the Calgary Flames in 2024-25.
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