Kelly McCrimmon has built a reputation as one of the most effective general managers in the NHL. He’s both patient and decisive.
And on Tuesday he made another coveted trade deadline acquisition bringing six-foot-five goal scoring winger Anthony Mantha to his Vegas Golden Knights.
McCrimmon sent a second round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in 2026 to the Washington Capitals for Mantha.
Mantha is big and fast while blessed with soft hands.
The 29-year-old averages 24 goals per 82 games and in 56 games this season has scored 20 goals and 14 assists.
Mantha lead the Caps with a +9 goal differential at 5v5 this season on a Washington team that is -25 on the season.
Mantha has 17 5v5 goals this season which is tied for 15th in the NHL.
The Longueuil, Quebec native stood as one of two 20-goal scorers for the Capitals this season, reaching his highest total since the 2018-19 campaign when he netted 25, the most in his nine-year NHL career.
Prior to his time in Washington, Mantha skated in 302 games with the Detroit Red Wings, owning 194 points (95 G, 99 A), including consecutive 48-point seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
In international play, Mantha helped Team Canada earn silver at the 2019 IIHF World Championship by collecting 14 points (7 G, 7 A) in nine games during the tournament. Mantha was drafted in the first round (20th overall) by Detroit in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
