Mantha Is Off the Market, and the Canadiens’ Next Winger Targets Move Into Focus

The Montreal Canadiens’ free-agency pursuit of Anthony Mantha has effectively ended, with the veteran winger reportedly signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the New Jersey Devils. The development matters less for the Canadiens’ short-term standings picture and more for how they shape their forward group as July roster building continues toward training camp.

Yahoo Sports had previously noted Montreal as one of the teams connected to Mantha during the open market. When a player of Mantha’s profile is no longer available, it forces teams that had targeted him to redirect their evaluations quickly, especially when they are trying to balance top-line talent with more sustainable scoring from the middle of the lineup.

In the Yahoo Sports piece, the argument is straightforward: with Mantha now off the board, the Canadiens should turn their attention to two other free-agent forwards still available. The article frames those players as logical alternatives for a team that wants additional production from the wing, whether that means boosting depth scoring, adding another option for offensive-zone matchups, or improving the group’s ability to sustain pressure.

Even without specific names tied to the Canadiens’ next two targets in the information provided here, the underlying roster math is clear in NHL free agency. Montreal’s need is not just “a forward,” but the right kind of forward for its team-building plan, including how they fit into roles the Canadiens are trying to lock in for the coming season. When one target signs elsewhere, teams typically re-rank remaining options based on style, cost, and the likelihood of integrating quickly.

For the Devils, Mantha’s signing also has ripple effects that can indirectly influence Montreal’s free-agent board. If New Jersey is spending to add a scoring winger, it can change the market for similar players, since teams adjust their willingness to pay when one of the more prominent candidates for offensive impact is already secured. That in turn can leave fewer “primary” options available to teams like Montreal, increasing pressure to find value and upside among the remaining free agents.

What to watch next for Montreal is whether the Canadiens’ pursuit shifts toward a different winger archetype, such as a more reliable bottom-six scoring threat, a specialist who can contribute on the power play, or a forward who can provide a stable role even when matchups get difficult. With Mantha off the market, the Canadiens’ next moves become a test of speed and judgment: can they identify two viable options quickly and still maintain flexibility as the offseason continues?