2023-08-16 10:55:00
TERREBONNE – Anthony Mantha admits it without restraint, “not bad everything” was difficult during his last season. It is by losing ten pounds that the imposing Washington Capitals winger intends to recover.
Implicated in several trade rumors – and even contract buyouts – this summer, Mantha will finally begin a fourth season with the Washington Capitals.
Above all, this will be the last year of his four-year pact earning him 5.7 million per season.
A turn was necessary for the one whose production was limited to 27 points (11 goals and 16 assists) in 67 games in 2022-2023. His summer season thus revolved around one main goal.
“Weight loss, a question of being faster next season. I found that I was missing a small notch in my game on this side. be stronger and more lean to be more explosive,” Mantha said.
Just to clarify, Mantha was playing at 242 pounds last season. “I found it a little too heavy. My goal is 232, I still have a few pounds to lose, but we have time,” described the six-foot-five player.
We thought it best to probe the renowned physical trainer Stéphane Dubé who supervised this plan with Jean-François Gaudreau (for the food component).
“He was playing around 240 pounds, it’s heavy. It’s not like it has a lot of fat, we just want to lower it a bit more. It’s going to make a big difference, that’s for sure,” said Dubé, who is aiming for a more daring goal of 227 or 228 pounds.
“As I explained to Anthony, who I’ve been coaching for a few years, with his strength and power, without the extra baggage in the suitcase, it will be quite dangerous for his speed,” added Dubé.
Mantha’s agility, with his frame, has always been impressive. But the reality of the NHL now demands capitalizing on every split second. Dubé specifies that the progress is already noticeable.
“Yes, I see him on the ice. I can already see an improvement in his agility and speed and we’re not done, there are still a few pounds to cut,” noted Dubé, who compares him somewhat to a linebacker in professional football for the power he generates.
An assumed objective of 60 points
Relevant in the interview, Mantha did not shy away from the troubles of his last campaign.
“I find that I was not present and involved enough for my team. Whether it’s for points, checks and all the little details. I want to be ready this year to accomplish them, ”acknowledged the big left-hander.
« The reset was my wedding in Banff and we did our little honeymoon. Then I went into overdrive in training. We still have four, five weeks and I have to continue like this, ”chained Mantha who became the father of a little girl, Naomie, in 2022.
Stimulated to succeed in his mission, Mantha has no problem revealing his goal unlike many other NHL players.
“I have several, I’ll admit. My personal goal is 60 points (his peak is 48) this year and then to sign a long-term contract somewhere. »
The goal remains to transform the end of his contract into motivation.
“I must have a big season. We will not hide that this is my last year of contract and I would like to bounce back. It’s practically a second chance after last season. I had other less good seasons in the NHL or AHL so I know how to come back strong, ”he submitted.
Dubé also specifies that Mantha did not balk when he discovered the plan he had drawn up for him.
“He has enormous potential and he knows it. He didn’t even challenge like ‘Yeah, I don’t think so…’ He’s open-minded and for me, he’s above all a very good person. He knows that I am building this plan for him and that everyone will be a winner, ”said the man who takes care of several hockey players including Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Alexis Lafrenière.
For the collaboration with Gaudreau, he has taken care of Lars Eller for a few years, which facilitated his addition to the project.
Busy with his small family, his marriage and his training, Mantha claims he hasn’t been affected by the rumors about him.
“I block everything, I am able to ignore what is being said. When I was traded from Detroit to Washington, I admit that this one was a shock. There had been no rumors and it happened at the end of the trade deadline. Since that moment, I have more of a mentality that it is a business. It is sure that we will move and play elsewhere so I try to stay focused, “identified Mantha.
The hunt for Ovechkin, a new coach and two former CH
Its revival will have to take place in the system of a new trainer, Spencer Carbery.
“I don’t know him very well, we spoke together three times this summer. We try to focus on when my performances were good. He talked to (Jeff) Blashill [qui l’a dirigé à Detroit] sometimes. We’re going to do video and we’re going to change the game system. I’m going to have some homework to do,” commented Mantha.
Again this year, Alexander Ovechkin (822 goals) will garner a lot of attention in his quest to overtake Wayne Gretzky (894 goals) as the top scorer in NHL history.
“It’s pretty amazing! The guys try not to get too excited or just look for Ovechkin on the ice. He is a scorer, the goals will come. It was really funny when he beat Gordie Howe for second place. It was an empty net against Winnipeg. He didn’t want the goal. There was a time out and he said he didn’t feel like scoring it. Finally, Kuznetsov kept passing the puck to him,” recalled Mantha, who is a privileged witness to this page of history.
Two new known teammates in Montreal, Max Pacioretty and Joel Edmundson, will join the Caps group.
“It will help our team fill in the gaps in attack and defense,” concluded Mantha, one of the shareholders of Le Mirage Golf Club.
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