Ouch! Calgary Flames’ Anthony Mantha to Undergo ACL Surgery – A Season Already Down the Drain
Oh dear, Calgary! It’s that time of year when we get to grip our couches in solidarity with the injured. The Flames have just announced that Anthony Mantha will be undergoing surgery on his ACL, which effectively means he’ll be taking an extended sabbatical from the ice, sitting on the sidelines for the rest of the season. Lovely, right?
Now, before we dive into the numbers, let’s get the gossip out of the way. Mantha has only had 13 games with the Flames after joining them on a one-year, $3.5 million contract—and I bet he wished he could’ve battled it out long enough to impact the bank balance beyond his physio fees! In those 13 games, however, he managed to rack up 7 points (that’s four goals and three assists, for those keeping score at home) while boasting a sparkling plus-6 rating. Talk about making a splash before the waves hit!
“It is never easy to lose a guy all year,” lamented forward Jonathan Huberdeau. Well, no kidding, Johnny! It’s like finally getting your pizza delivered only to find that they forgot the toppings. I mean sure, we’re happy to have the base, but where’s the pepperoni? Huberdeau expressed real concern for his teammate, saying, “We feel for him. Hopefully, it’s going to be a speedy recovery and surgery is going to go well.” Fingers crossed! After all, we know how impatient fans can get—just ask a Toronto Maple Leafs supporter about playoff hopes!
Speaking of gut feelings, Coach Ryan Huska couldn’t mask his disappointment. “It’s awful,” he said, which is putting it mildly. After witnessing Mantha’s unfortunate injury during a game against the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 5, he thought maybe it was just a ‘minor inconvenience.’ Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. You can almost hear the collective groans from Flames fans, can’t you?
And speaking of groans, can we take a moment to appreciate the players’ resilience? Team spirit is truly heartwarming. Huska also emphasized that he believes Mantha will “do things the right way.” Well, if by ‘doing things the right way’ you mean undergoing an excruciating surgery and the dull monotony of rehab, then yes! Absolutely!
In terms of stats, let’s not forget our dear Anthony Mantha was the 20th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings back in 2013. A first-round pick, folks! This guy has carved out a well-deserved career with 303 points (146 goals, 157 assists) over 507 regular-season games, without even breaking a sweat…until now. He’s also got some scant playoff experience with six assists in 14 games. This season wasn’t meant to go like this—more like a grease fire than an ice hockey game!
As the Flames (currently at a 7-5-3 record) prepare to face the Los Angeles Kings soon, they’re definitely going to feel the absence of Mantha, not to mention that noticeable gap of talent on the ice. It’s a battle that’s more daunting than keeping a straight face during a Jimmy Carr live show, and trust me, that’s no small feat!
The silver lining? We wish Anthony a speedy recovery because a calm, cool, and collected Mantha is precisely what we need once he’s back. After all, it’s just another chapter in the endless saga of sports resilience. So, frosty Calgary, let’s lace up those boots and get ready to cheer for our boys. And who knows, perhaps we can just take a lesson from Anthony: injuries are only temporary, but the love of the game? That’s forever!
CALGARY — The Calgary Flames confirmed on Monday that Anthony Mantha will undergo ACL surgery, which will sideline him for the remainder of the season.
The 30-year-old winger made an impactful arrival this season, tallying seven points, which include four goals and three assists, while boasting a plus-6 rating over 13 games after inking a one-year, $3.5 million deal as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
“It is never easy to lose a guy all year,” commented forward Jonathan Huberdeau, stressing the challenge of seeing a teammate eager to showcase his skills face such a devastating injury. “He’s coming in here wanting to prove himself, and getting a bad injury like that, it’s never easy. We feel for him. Hopefully, it’s going to be a speedy recovery, and the surgery goes well. It’s unfortunate. We’ll think about him during this time.”
Mantha suffered the injury in an unfortunate incident during the first period of a tightly contested 3-2 overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens on November 5. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday.
“It’s awful,” expressed Coach Ryan Huska, reflecting on the emotional impact of the loss. “Even when you saw the hit in Montreal, you thought, ‘OK, maybe he might miss a little bit of time,’ and when we got the news it was fairly significant. You do feel gutted for the player because it’s not an easy thing to come back from. With ‘Mo,’ I have every confidence that he’s going to do things the right way. He’ll get it done and will start working on his rehab right away, setting himself up to make a strong return.”
Calgary (7-5-3) is set to face the Los Angeles Kings on Monday evening at 8:30 p.m. ET, with the game available to watch on Prime and FDSNW.
A former first-round draft pick, selected at No. 20 by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Draft, Mantha’s career statistics reveal a total of 303 points, comprised of 146 goals and 157 assists, accrued over 507 regular-season games played with the Red Wings, Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights, and Flames. He has also contributed six assists in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
### Interview: Discussing the Calgary Flames’ Setback with Anthony Mantha’s Injury
**Host:** Good evening, everyone! Tonight we have a special Alex Reed, sports analyst and NHL expert, Alex Thompson, to discuss the recent news surrounding the Calgary Flames. Welcome, Alex!
**Alex:** Thanks for having me! It’s always a pleasure to talk hockey, even when the news isn’t great.
**Host:** Sadly, it isn’t. The Flames have confirmed that Anthony Mantha will undergo ACL surgery and will miss the rest of the season. What are your thoughts on this sudden development?
**Alex:** It’s a tough blow for the Flames. Mantha came into the season with high expectations, and in just 13 games, he contributed seven points. Losing him now is going to leave a significant gap in their lineup, especially considering they were just starting to build some chemistry.
**Host:** You mentioned he made an impact. With a plus-6 rating, he was really showing his potential. How do you think the team will cope without him moving forward?
**Alex:** It’s definitely going to be a challenge. The Flames currently hold a 7-5-3 record, and without Mantha, they will need other players to step up. The coaching staff might have to look at different line combinations to maintain offensive pressure. Players like Jonathan Huberdeau will need to lead by example and boost their overall performance.
**Host:** Huberdeau did express concern for Mantha, stating the team feels for him during this tough time. How important is team morale in situations like this?
**Alex:** Very important! Injuries can be demoralizing, but they can also create a sense of unity within the team. It’s crucial for players to rally together and support one another. They’ll need to channel any frustrations into their performances on the ice.
**Host:** Coach Ryan Huska also shared his disappointment about the injury. How do coaches typically adjust their strategies following such setbacks?
**Alex:** Coaches usually reevaluate their game plans and line matchups after a major injury. In Mantha’s case, they may need to shift their approach to maximize the talent they have available. This can include promoting players from lower lines to higher ones or even adjusting the physicality and style of play.
**Host:** Yes, and with the Flames facing the Los Angeles Kings soon, they’ll be looking to make immediate adjustments. Any predictions on how they should approach that game?
**Alex:** They’ll need to focus on strong defensive play and not trying to replace Mantha’s scoring directly, as that can lead to pressing and making mistakes. Instead, they should look to play a cohesive game, creating opportunities and capitalizing on whatever chances they do get.
**Host:** Lastly, what does the future hold for Anthony Mantha post-surgery? Any thoughts on his recovery?
**Alex:** If he follows a good rehab program and stays determined, he has a decent chance for a full recovery. ACL injuries are tough, but with advances in sports medicine, many players return strong. Understanding he’s part of a long journey is vital, but I believe Mantha can bounce back and regain his spot in the lineup.
**Host:** It’ll be interesting to see how both the Flames and Mantha handle this setback. Thank you so much for your insights, Alex!
**Alex:** Thank you! Let’s hope for a speedy recovery for Mantha and continued grit from the Flames this season!
**Host:** Absolutely! Stick around, everyone, as we bring you more updates from around the NHL!
