Anthony Mantha a healthy scratch for Detroit

Despite being fourth in points for the Detroit Red Wings, and just one goal off being tied for the lead on the team, Anthony Mantha sat on the sidelines Sunday night. Mantha is physically fine for playing, but head coach Jeff Blashill wanted to send a message.

As always, word of Mantha's benching brought tons of talk on social media regarding a possible trade (and, of course, Tony DeAngelo's name was thrown in for good measure) but there appears to be no credible source behind any talk of an exchange between the Red Wings and the New York Rangers. Making someone a healthy scratch to send a message has long been a major part of a coach's communications strategy to express disappointment in a player, or more specifically, the way they've been playing recently.

Mantha's just 26, but he's been with the Red Wings for longer than most of the other members of the roster after GM Steve Yzerman decided to shake up his team and officially enter rebuild mode. There is a faction of Detroit fans that have wanted Blashill gone since last season. In fairness, I'm not certain it would make a big difference given the team's current condition. The Wings could use another one or two high draft picks as well. It's interesting to see how Mantha will handle this situation, though. Will he pay heed to his coach's message and be better? We'll see. Mantha's on year one of a new four-year deal paying him an average of $5.7 million per season.

Blashill must have done something right on Sunday, because the Red Wings handed Florida its first regulation loss of the season, beating the Panthers 4-1.

shownhl_27509_shownhl

MUST READ

2 hours ago  |  By Tyler Ball Edmonton Oilers Analyst Believes the Team Should Pursue Top-10 NHL Scoring Defenseman

4 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Young Goaltender Max Akerson Tragically Passes Away From Terminal Disease

5 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Patrik Laine Involved in Scary Knee-to-Knee Collision With Teammate During Practice

10 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Columbus Blue Jackets Place Massive 6-Foot-5 Centre on the NHL Waiver Wire

10 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Elliotte Friedman Links Montreal Canadiens Top-Five Pick to a Metro Team in Unexpected Trade Rumour

12 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Chicago Bears Fire Head Coach Matt Eberflus After the Official City Account Demands He Be Replaced

12 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker New York Rangers Reportedly Pursuing Trade for 100-Point Western Conference Forward

14 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Toronto Maple Leafs Run Into Major Obstacle With Mitch Marner Contract Talks

MORE STORIES