A big, mobile defenseman, Mantha has impressive size, but he often has an issue using it. He doesn’t show enough willingness game in and game out to use his size to his fullest advantage. He doesn’t play the toughest brand of defense, and it costs him from time to time when he fails to put a body on a player. He mostly relies on his reach and strong defensive stick to make plays. He does a very good job at stealing lanes with his stick, and at interrupting forwards who attempt to take the puck down the wing. He is most effective on the PK when he gets his stick in good position to steal the middle of the ice and prevent puck movement. He is a smart player defensively, and doesn’t often stray from position, but if he can add some consistency to his physical game, he’d be more effective. Mantha has impressive mobility for his size. He has a long, smooth stride and he has shown the capability to take the puck over his own blue line. Mantha sees the ice very well with the puck and demonstrates immense poise under pressure. He makes a great first pass and impressive, long outlets to get his team moving up the ice. He has a strong, quick point shot with strong accuracy. He also has above-average stick skills for a big defenseman. (May 2014)