When the Penguins entered the 2025 offseason after missing the playoffs for a third straight year, the type of players they were looking for were short-term prove it deals. And the two big boys on the wing on the second line have so far done more than prove it.
They were used to having veteran and part of the core three center Evgeni Malkin between them on the second line for a bit this season. But since Malkin has been out with an injury, veteran Tommy Novak has been their center and all three players gel really well as a trio.
So far on the season, Mantha has scored 14 goals and added 13 assists in 38 games played so far this year. Mantha added goals 13 and 14 on the year recently in the Penguins 5-1 drubbing of the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that the Penguins generally struggle with.
As for Brazeau on the season, he has scored 12 goals and added 8 assists in 24 games so far this year. He added goals 10, 11, and 12 on the year to his total in the Penguins victory over the Chicago Blackhawks last weekend.
When the Penguins signed the two forwards to short-term deals over the offseason, fans did not know what to expect nor what kind of production they would be getting from them. But so far this year, they have gotten way more than they thought they had bargained for and it is a welcome sight to see.
The two just look so good as a duo regardless of if Novak is centering them or Malkin is centering them. An argument can be made for Mantha to be moved at the trade deadline if the Penguins so choose, but as of the current moment, there is no possible way that the Penguins can move Mantha.
The Penguins duo just seems to be clicking on all cylinders and they are slowly turning into superstars who are contributing a ton on a nightly basis. General manager Kyle Dubas has to be happy with himself for signing these guys and seeing how well it has turned out.