Mantha has left the long rehabilitation period and those endless days away from the team wondering what he had left to offer in the NHL far behind him.
“I had no pleasure during this rehabilitation,” he said.
The only bright spot in the process was the presence of Justin Kirkland, who also suffered a torn ACL that ended his season 24 days after Mantha’s injury. They tried to turn the negative into a positive, with the team’s physiotherapists as their only company as they continued their season.
“The whole rehab process, mentally and physically, was about getting back into the best shape possible, and this year the goal was to make an impact for this team,” Mantha said. That was my state of mind during those moments. We have to roll up our sleeves for 11 months, from the moment you suffer the injury until the start of the following season, we are rusty in pre-season, we try to find our bearings as quickly as possible. When you get there, you have to take advantage of it. »
He collected 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in his first 12 games this season. He started to feel good by the third or fourth game, and he had the chance to play early in the season alongside Evgeni Malkin — an advantage for any forward. He has continued to progress ever since.
“I got some opportunities,” Mantha said. I received some nice passes from [Malkin] at the start of the season to make it easier for me, and after that, I think it really took off. Mentally, physically, I read the game differently, the legs feel better, and things continued to go in the right direction. »
That includes some nice chemistry developed recently with Ben Kindel and Justin Brazeau, as the Penguins (31-16-13) head toward an unexpected playoff presence, sitting second in the Metropolitan Division, nine points behind the Carolina Hurricanes and tied with the New York Islanders.
“He’s a very intelligent player, really solid offensively and with good skills,” Kindel said. I think he’s really hungry, as is a lot of our team, to be successful this year. »
When asked when he felt fully physically recovered, Mantha hesitated.
“With an injury like this, it can get worse at any time, so we obviously stay on the lookout, I take care of my body and my legs with additional treatments,” he said. The guys here have been great in giving me time to get through these treatments. Do I think it’s 100%? Do I think it ever will? Probably not. But if I can be at 95%, I’ll take it. »
For now, Mantha is not worried about his future.
He hasn’t yet discussed a new contract with the Penguins, especially since he first has to get through the trade deadline, set for 3 p.m. ET Friday, but he also knows he no longer has to worry about having to settle for a tryout contract next summer.
He believes he deserved a little stability.
“That was my state of mind this year,” he concluded. “Obviously it’s another year where I have to prove myself, but I think I’m doing things really well. I don’t think I’ll get an eight-year extension, but I hope to get a multi-year contract.
“That was my goal during the summer, and it still is. Until I sign it, that will be the ultimate goal. Whether that takes me to 33, 34 or 35, that would be fantastic. »
