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Penguins could explore trading first year forward, per NHL analyst


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Jack Sutherland
January 7, 2026  (9:32)
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Jan 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) and right wing Anthony Mantha (39) congratulate center Sidney Crosby (87) on his power play goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Per a new report from NHL analyst Lyle Richardson, there is one first-year member of the Pittsburgh Penguins who could potentially be traded, Anthony Mantha.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are on a surge right now, as they have now won five straight games and have the chance to make it six in a row when they play the New Jersey Devils, who just lost 9-0 to the New York Islanders, tomorrow night.
But even so, there are still multiple Penguins players who are involved in trade rumours despite their recent successes, and one new name is being inserted into trade rumours.
First year Penguins forward Anthony Mantha, who missed most of last year with the Calgary Flames because of a torn ACL, is mentioned on NHL analyst Lyle Richardson's latest Big Board Trade piece.
Last July, Anthony Mantha signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. They became the fifth NHL team for the well-traveled 31-year-old winger since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, as injuries and inconsistency plagued his once-promising career as a top-six winger.

So far, Mantha's been a terrific addition for the retooling Penguins as they battle for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. In 40 games, he sits third among their scorers with 14 goals and fourth in points with 29. At this pace, he could break his career-high of 25 goals and 48 points in 2018-19.



So far, there's no indication that the Penguins will be sellers. Nevertheless, Mantha's improved play this season makes him a player worth monitoring if the Penguins stumble between now and the March trade deadline. - Lyle Richardson

So far in his first year in a Penguins sweater, Mantha has 29 points (14G, 15A).

Anthony Mantha Is In His First Year With The Penguins

Mantha was taken with the 20th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and would play with the team until 2021 when he was traded to the Washington Capitals in a multi-player deal.
He'd play a handful of years for the Capitals before eventually being dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights at the Trade Deadline. Signing with the Calgary Flames before the start of last year, he got off to a good start before suffering a torn ACL.
He has 332 points (160G, 172A) in 548 career NHL games.
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Penguins could explore trading first year forward, per NHL analyst

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