The Edmonton Oilers are getting healthier, and that means their depth, particularly at forward, has gotten deeper. But in direct inverse correlation with how healthy the team is getting, Andrew Mangiapane’s role has gotten more and more ‘unhealthy’, playing-time-wise.
Elliotte Friedman tells us on the 32 Thoughts podcast that that could mean that Mangiapane’s days with the team are numbered. He says that a trade is beginning to sound good to both player and club.
I do think both sides would be willing in the right situation. Yes.
I don’t think it’s a hard and fast trade demand or anything like that, but I think there’s just a realization like Danault, like Marchment that it just wasn’t working in that spot and if another situation can be found, I think Mangiapane would be willing to look at it.
Mangiapane has a full no-trade clause in the two-year, $7.2 million deal he signed with the Oilers this past summer ($3.6M AAV). But he’s not about to let that hold him back from going somewhere where the grass is greener for him, from an ice-time perspective.
I think there is an understanding there that if the Oilers can find something for Mangiapane with another team where he might have a bigger role, he would be willing to waive in that situation.
Mangiapane’s role has diminished with Oilers as season has progressed
In his first half-season with the Oilers, Mangiapane has recorded five goals and 11 points in 39 games, with a plus/minus rating of -16. He began the year averaging about 16 minues of ice time through October, but that dropped to just 13 and a half in November, and in December, he’s down to just 11:35 TOI. That includes three games at less than 10 minutes.
The 29-year-old is in his 9th NHL season, after spending the first seven years of his career with the Oilers’ heated rivals, the Calgary Flames. He spent last season with the Washington Capitals, and recorded 14 goals and 28 points in 81 games, far below the 40 or so points he’d averaged in his previous four seasons.
Perhaps the gritty, tenacious forward will find a better fit elsewhere.
“He can see the writing on the wall there (in Edmonton),” added Friedman.
Photo: © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images