Devils Sign Anthony Mantha to 2-Year, $9.5M Deal

Sport

By lines

July 15, 2026

Pop-art illustration of a contract and pen, Anthony Mantha Devils signing hero image

Anthony Mantha is joining the New Jersey Devils on a two-year, $9.5 million free agent deal. The Devils signed Anthony Mantha on Wednesday to add a proven scoring winger up front. New Jersey lands a finisher fresh off a career-best offensive season.

New Jersey Bets on Mantha’s Career-Best Form

The New Jersey Devils gave Anthony Mantha a two-year contract worth $9.5 million on Wednesday. The deal carries an average annual value of $4.75 million against the cap. Anthony Mantha will earn $5.4 million in 2026-27 under the front-loaded structure. Anthony Mantha will then make $4.1 million in the 2027-28 season.

Anthony Mantha reached the open market this summer as an unrestricted free agent. Anthony Mantha set a career high with 64 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. Anthony Mantha scored 33 goals and added 31 assists across 81 regular-season games. Those totals marked the most productive campaign of the veteran winger’s career. The 33 goals stood as a career best for Anthony Mantha.

Anthony Mantha is 31 years old entering the new two-year contract. Anthony Mantha appeared in six Stanley Cup Playoff games for Pittsburgh last spring. Anthony Mantha recorded one assist during that short playoff run. The Devils now add that scoring touch to the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh’s playoff run lasted just six games last spring.

The signing gives New Jersey a middle-six scoring option for the 2026-27 season. The $4.75 million cap hit slots Anthony Mantha into a manageable salary. Anthony Mantha brings a finishing touch to New Jersey’s middle six. The Devils are betting Anthony Mantha carries that 33-goal form into the Metropolitan Division. New Jersey gains scoring insurance without a long-term commitment.

The two-year term keeps Anthony Mantha in New Jersey through the 2027-28 season. The contract pays Anthony Mantha more actual salary in the first year. The flat $4.75 million cap hit applies in both seasons of the deal. New Jersey will open training camp hoping the Anthony Mantha signing pays off. The modest term limits the risk for New Jersey on the deal. The contract adds a scoring winger at a mid-tier cap number.

Anthony Mantha joins New Jersey during an active NHL free agent period. Several veteran forwards changed teams around the league this month. The Devils used the open market to add scoring depth on the wing. Anthony Mantha gives New Jersey another goal threat for the season ahead. The Devils continue reshaping the roster ahead of the 2026-27 season. The signing rounds out New Jersey’s forward depth for the season.