The Detroit Red Wings were not willing to part with their 2015 first-round pick or prospect Anthony Mantha at the trade deadline, but that has changed.
According to Sportsnet’s Damien Cox, the team is now willing to look at moving both of those assets.
On March 2, after the 3 p.m. EST trade deadline had passed, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported the Toronto Maple Leafs offered the Red Wings Dion Phaneuf, but Detroit was unwilling to include Mantha in the deal.
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Mantha was the 20th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft and had an outstanding junior career with the Val d’Or Foreurs, registering 260 points in 189 games in the QMJHL. However, his stock fell during the 2014-15 campaign.
The 20-year-old struggled in his first season with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League only putting up 33 points in 62 games. During the playoffs, Red Wings senior vice president Jim Devellano was critical of Mantha.
“Very, very, very disappointing,” Devellano told FOX Sports Detroit in May regarding Mantha’s play. “And I say that with a lot of sadness. Coming out of junior, we had such high hopes for him.”
The Red Wings’ first-round pick this year is the 19th overall selection.
In other Red Wings news, Cox reports Tony Granato is expected to remain with Detroit to work with new head coach Jeff Blashill.
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