Flames' Anthony Mantha Out for the Season with ACL Injury, Trade Potential Impacted

The Calgary Flames have announced that forward Anthony Mantha will miss the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury that requires surgery.

The operation is scheduled for this Thursday, and with Mantha sidelined for the entire year, his future with the Flames is now uncertain.

Mantha signed a one-year contract with Calgary in the offseason and is set to become a pending unrestricted free agent this summer. His injury not only impacts the Flames’ lineup but also complicates any trade plans the team might have had for him.

Initially considered a potential trade asset for this season’s deadline, Mantha’s absence eliminates any possibility of a midseason move. GM Craig Conroy might have been looking to flip Mantha for assets at the deadline, assuming the Flames were out of playoff contention. That's not happening now.

This is also not great news for Jonathan Huberdeau, who was having a bit of a rebound season on the same line as Mantha. The two had developed some early chemistry.

In 13 games with Calgary this season, Mantha recorded four goals and seven points. His performance showed flashes of the skill that made him a smart bet in free agency. However, his injury puts a significant damper on his impact this year.

Over his 10-season NHL career, Mantha has also played for the Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, and Detroit Red Wings. The Flames now face a challenging situation, both in terms of roster depth and their long-term plans for Mantha.