Mantha will have chance to make Red Wings

The Detroit Free Press profiles Detroit Red Wings 2013 first round pick Anthony Mantha.

“He’s going to get a chance to make our team,” GM Ken Holland said Friday. “He’ll play five or six or seven exhibition games, and if he belongs in the NHL, we’ll put him in.”

Source: Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

If you're a site regular though, you may remember this article (the whole interview was great) from a few days ago. Babcock, who was just scouting Mantha, had some pretty effusive praise for the talented youngster.

"I always like 6-foot-5 guys who can score goals."

Also: "I've been here nine years, we haven't had a prospect like this in the nine years I've been here."

Also: "They're playing against kids. You know, so you're a man playing against kids. But his instincts, his hockey sense, his hands, his ability to knock down pucks is unbelievable. His pace - don't get me wrong, he's a great skater - he just doesn't play with pace, so that's going to have to improve. What I've found with most talented guys is put them with the big guys and suddenly they play at a pace because they want to play there.

"So it'll be interesting to see. I don't think we'll really know until the fall whether he can fit in, whether he needs half a year in GR or whatever. But I just went to Grand Rapids here last week, I wanted to see them before I came here just to see how far he away, or how close is, because we're moving in so many kids in to our group that's obviously going to have to compete for a top-six forward job or at least a top-nine job. I don't know if he could do it or not. We'll know over time."

Source: Sportsnet 960 The FAN

Related: Babcock on Leafs, Lidstrom, 24/7