After suffering an injury last Tuesday during the Calgary Flames’ comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens, Anthony Mantha and the Flames suffered the worst possible outcome this morning. The team has announced that Mantha will be out for the remainder of the 2024–25 season due to an ACL injury that will require surgery.
.@MFradiology Injury Update: Forward Anthony Mantha will require surgery on an ACL injury. Surgery will take place this Thursday and he will be out for the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/Bpd3fRFfbb
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) November 11, 2024
A short-lived tenure for Mantha
The awful news comes just over one month into Mantha’s tenure in Calgary. After signing a one-year deal as a free agent back in July, Mantha was expected to bring a veteran presence to the roster and offer a potential boost for struggling star and fellow QMJHL alum Jonathan Huberdeau. There was also the hope that the Flames could flip him for a draft pick later this year at the trade deadline to a contender.
With this news, any hopes of a draft pick come the trade deadline are now dashed, and the Flames will need to look to the Wranglers to fill Mantha’s roster spot on the wing. He finishes the season with four goals and seven points in 13 games played, as well as 15 shots and one point on the powerplay.
What’s next for the Flames?
It’s anyone’s guess whether or not we ever see Mantha in a Flames jersey again, but as an upcoming free agent who will now be coming off major surgery at the age of 30, it’s likely in the Flames best interest to let Mantha test the free agent market next summer and look internally to find some fits on the wing.
The Flames recently recalled Adam Klapka earlier today to add another forward to the roster, but they now have room for one more recall with Mantha heading to IR. Don’t be surprised if Jakob Pelletier gets the call soon as the Flames look to replace Mantha’s offence in the middle-six.
