Although Mantha is certainly very good the Capitals already have lots of players like him. They bulked up their team but acquiring him but are a bit less well-rounded now, as they do not have any players quite like Vrana. From another Pens' fan perspective I can say that the Pens' defense honestly did not have an answer for Vrana. I am very glad that he is no longer a Capital .
- PghPens668771
Call me crazy here is what I see happening in the future in no particular order
1. Seattle Kraken Select T.J Oshie in expansion draft
2. Mantha takes over T.J Oshie "bumper" role on the team for the PP and essentially just assumes and replaces his ice time. By no means am I saying Mantha can replicate T.J Oshie's success in Washington but from what ive seen so far from Mantha, he is skilled and talented enough to have the opportunity to put up similar numbers.
3. Daniel Sprong becomes a permanent fixture in the capitals lineup. Possibly on the second line making it a Sprong-Backstrom-Mantha line. Sprong has shown he can breakout up the ice almost as fast as Vrana, and certainly has the shooting ability to put the puck in the back of the net. Vrana is one of the best players in the league in goals/60 min at 5v5, literally. But Sprong is also quite capable.
4. With money saved from Vrana/Panik trade and Oshie expansion draft selection, the Capitals can now afford to pay and extend Ovechkin for four more years. Him and Backstrom retire together after Ovechkin breaks Gretzkys goal record at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season.