Devils finalize two-year deal with forward Anthony Mantha

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Anthony Mantha to a two-year contract, according to Yahoo Sports reporting published Wednesday. The addition gives New Jersey another option in its forward group as teams continue to shape their rosters ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Mantha enters the deal as a known power-forward type, a player profile that can matter in the Devils’ pursuit of more consistent offense and stronger play in the middle of games. For New Jersey, the signing is most immediately about flexibility, giving the coaching staff another veteran presence who can be slotted into multiple forward roles depending on matchups, line combinations, and how the rest of the roster sets up.

The transaction also matters because it helps define New Jersey’s offseason direction. By committing to Mantha on a multi-year agreement, the Devils are indicating they want more than just short-term patchwork, even as they balance development with immediate competitive needs. In a conference where playoff races are often decided by who can create offense while limiting runouts, adding bodies who can contribute with sustained time on ice carries weight.

Anthony Mantha’s contract length, two years, suggests the Devils are planning for a near-term window rather than treating the signing as a pure audition. While the Yahoo report does not provide further contract specifics in the information available here, the length alone supports the idea that the organization expects meaningful involvement during the term of the deal.

From a lineup perspective, the key question for the Devils is where Mantha fits best. New Jersey’s best offensive looks typically require balance, including players who can work through traffic and drive play rather than solely chase scoring chances at the perimeter. If Mantha’s game matches those needs, the signing could translate into more stable production at even strength and on special teams situations where coaches want net-front presence and direct, high-attempt hockey.

There is also a broader roster-management angle. When a team adds a forward with a defined skill set, it can create knock-on effects for how other players are used. That might mean fewer minutes for a younger forward in one situation, or it could allow for more deliberate pairing choices that keep the group fresh over the season’s grind. For Devils fans, the offseason ordering, including how Mantha is deployed during training camp, will offer the clearest indicator of the team’s priorities.

What to watch next is confirmation of the contract details through official team channels and how New Jersey structures early-season lineups. The most telling sign will be whether Mantha is treated as a top-six option immediately or primarily used as depth, matchup-based reinforcement, and an additional scoring route. Either way, the Devils’ decision to add him on a two-year deal suggests New Jersey is building toward an NHL lineup that can compete for points consistently, not just in isolated stretches.