Capitals reportedly still trying to trade former first-round pick

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Cooper Godin
October 20, 2023 (7:44)

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The Washington Capitals haven't had a great start to the 2023-24 season and are coming off a 6-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night.

It's too early for any organization to panic as most teams are anywhere from only two-to-four games into their respective schedules, but for the Washington Capitals, they're active in the trade market trying to improve their roster.

Not only are the Capitals searching for a top-six forward, as David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period mentioned on Wednesday, they're also still trying to off-load Anthony Mantha, who's name has been in trade rumours for several months now.

"As the #AllCaps continue their search (rough game yesterday), they are also -still- trying to gauge the trade market on Anthony Mantha, who played last night. But at a $5.7M cap hit, it's been a tall task." Pagnotta said.

Mantha, 29, drew back into the Capitals' lineup on Wednesday night after being a healthy scratch on Monday against the Calgary Flames. He's currently in the final year of his four-year contract he signed while with the Detroit Red Wings that sees him earn $5.7 million annually.

The Longueuil, Quebec native's time with the Washington Capitals has not gone as expected after they acquired him from the Red Wings in April 2021 in exchange for Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik, a 2021 first-round pick and a 2022 second-round pick.

So far during his tenure in Washington, the most points Mantha has put up in a single season was 27 during 2022-23 where he appeared in 67 games.

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