Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski writes that former Detroit Red Wings player Anthony Mantha re-emergence as an offensive force has created a best-case Mantha scenario.

“With each passing season segment, Mantha is both helping the team win and increasing his value in the process,” Kingerski writes.

For a base salary of $2.5 million, plus bonuses, the Penguins have received 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points from Mantha. He’s on a pace to register 50-plus points for the first time in his career.

“We’re playing really well… it’s fun when everyone can contribute. Hopefully, we keep it going.”

Anthony Mantha on the success of his line with Novak & Brazeau 💪 pic.twitter.com/ycSKIVAjX4

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) December 31, 2025

All options are on the table here. If the Penguins are in the playoff hunt, they can keep him and let him walk away as a UFA at the end of the season. If the Penguins fade out of contention, they can probably deal him to a contender, especially if he is heading toward 50 points.

“Dubas could opt to re-sign him,” Kingerski wrote. “The guess is that the player would be more than willing to re-sign in this situation.”

By the way, Mantha has a smart bonus clause from the player perspective. He gets $250,000 for every 10 games played.  When he plays on Saturday against Detroit, it will be his 40th game. That’s $1 million in bonuses already.

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Red Wings Extra

Detroit prospect Max Plante took a light skate this morning, but won’t play today in USA’s quarterfinal matchup against Finland at the World Junior Championships.

Max Plante(2nd round’24) #LGRW https://t.co/lFVZPSWKYv

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) January 1, 2026

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