Rantanen vs. Mantha - who ya got?

[RizzeeDizzee]

It's the first cage match of the 2017-18 season, and I was glad to see these guys do well in their early games since I'd already locked this in as my match before the season actually started. Here's a link to the column: http://www.dobberhockey.com/hockey-h...nthony-mantha/

Give it a read and come back to share your thoughts. Do you think Mantha can overcome the apparent Ice Time limitations that I see as placing a ceiling on his output? Does Rantanen have enough "sniper" in him to stick on the top line and PP, let alone to be a sniper? What do you think of the past player comparables that I dug up? And most importantly, who are you taking for this year, and in keepers?

[IngeTheHammerStrom]

Great Cage Match! Going in I was firmly on the Mantha side, and mostly due to Colorado being such a terrible team. My league stats still lean towards Mantha but this does allow me to see the value of Rantanen. Will keep a close eye on the 2 this year and would be great to get a follow-up on this cage match in a year or 2!

[GSD]

Good info. In my league with SOG and looking at their team, it's Mantha.

[ross10019]

Nice Cage Match article. I'm a Rantanen owner and my only concern is whether he can become a high volume SOG guy, as reflected in your article. He fired 5 last game and is at 9 over first 3 games, which bodes well, but it's early. In order for him to be successful as Mack's primary winger, both at ES but especially on PP1, he MUST develop into a true sniper, and that means he'll have no choice but to fire lots more rubber. For that reason, I see him being a reasonably high volume shooter through his peak years - think average of around 2.8/game with high points of 3.2 or so - and that should translate to consistent 30+ goal production. What's most exciting though is his natural (and underrated) playmaking and passing ability - that could vault him into consistent 65-75 point performance in his primary years and make him highly valuable in both points only and multicat leagues.

UPDATE: And for the record, in my league, I would not trade Rantanen for Mantha straight up.

[Waffle Jokinen]

I'll go with Mantha too! Since i traded Boone Jenner to acquire him last year, i really didn't regret the move. I think his upside is huge and more ice time and responsibilities will come sooner than later!

[RizzeeDizzee]

Nice Cage Match article. I'm a Rantanen owner and my only concern is whether he can become a high volume SOG guy, as reflected in your article. He fired 5 last game and is at 9 over first 3 games, which bodes well, but it's early. In order for him to be successful as Mack's primary winger, both at ES but especially on PP1, he MUST develop into a true sniper, and that means he'll have no choice but to fire lots more rubber. For that reason, I see him being a reasonably high volume shooter through his peak years - think average of around 2.8/game with high points of 3.2 or so - and that should translate to consistent 30+ goal production. What's most exciting though is his natural (and underrated) playmaking and passing ability - that could vault him into consistent 65-75 point performance in his primary years and make him highly valuable in both points only and multicat leagues.

UPDATE: And for the record, in my league, I would not trade Rantanen for Mantha straight up.

I do think this is indeed the key for Rantanen. Results started to come last season when he fired pucks at the net, and lo and behold he's back at it this season. If he keeps it up that should be an encouraging sign in his further development. As for multi-cat leagues though, I think Mantha will have better value there, if the categories include physical stats. Like I said in the article, he's a nice stat stuffer already.

[RizzeeDizzee]

I'll go with Mantha too! Since i traded Boone Jenner to acquire him last year, i really didn't regret the move. I think his upside is huge and more ice time and responsibilities will come sooner than later!

You did well for yourself with that trade - I happen to think Jenner is very good, but for whatever reason Torts doesn't seem to be a fan and that will hurt his output and value.

[Ianclark5525]

Really good read! I own both Mantha was a keeper for me then Rantanen I drafted in our redraft I was able to snag him in rd 3 of after 12 teams by 15 keepers were set.
keeping a close eye on both and not sure who I value higher yet

[Kabonov]

I like the write up every good cage match. I agree with the victor. Rantanen is a beast. I think COL will rebound this year while AZI & VAN take over the basement dwellings.
Mantha should have a break out soon enough but I still think Rantanen more fantasy value.

[ross10019]

I do think this is indeed the key for Rantanen. Results started to come last season when he fired pucks at the net, and lo and behold he's back at it this season. If he keeps it up that should be an encouraging sign in his further development. As for multi-cat leagues though, I think Mantha will have better value there, if the categories include physical stats. Like I said in the article, he's a nice stat stuffer already.

Rantanen with a nice start, 3 pts and 13SOG in the first 4 games, let's hope it continues.