TRAVERSE CITY — Anthony Mantha is ready to show just how much he learned from last season and just how ready he is for a more prominent role this season.
The Detroit Red Wings need their 2013 first-round draft pick to take a step forward, and the forward sounds ready for the challenge. Mantha understands that if he wants to excel, he needs to work hard every game; understands he can’t quit on plays; understands, for that matter, why he got beat up by a guy who is now a teammate.
Mantha’s maturity appears to be paying off as early training camp has him in the top six, on a line with Dylan Larkin at center and Justin Abdelkader on left wing.