Edmonton Oilers Forward Andrew Mangiapane Expected to Be Traded This Week
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli of Frankly Hockey, the Edmonton Oilers are poised to trade forward Andrew Mangiapane in the coming days. This move is anticipated to occur before the trade deadline, allowing the team to free up salary cap space for potential acquisitions.
Insider Details Potential Trade Scenario
Seravalli emphasized that the Oilers cannot make any trade deadline acquisitions without first moving Mangiapane. The forward is under contract for $3.6 million this season and next, a figure just under $4 million annually. The key question, as noted by Seravalli, is whether Edmonton will need to attach an asset to facilitate the trade, something the organization would prefer to avoid.
"I think the question at this point is: Will the Oilers need to attach an asset to move his contract, just south of $4 million, which also includes next year," Seravalli stated. "They’d rather not do that but to this point it’s been a little bit of a grind trying to move that deal and I’d expect that to potentially materialize here in the next three to four days to set the Oilers up with a week or so to try to improve their roster."
Mangiapane currently ranks fifth on Seravalli's trade board, indicating significant league-wide interest or speculation about his availability.
Background and Team Dynamics
Mangiapane has been on the trade block for nearly two months, with both the player and the team expressing openness to a move. This development comes just months after he signed a new contract with the Oilers in July, highlighting the rapid shift in team strategy.
Seravalli, a credible insider who recently spent time in Milan with the U.S. Olympic team—where Oilers GM Stan Bowman was also present—suggests this trade could benefit both parties. For the Oilers, it aligns with their urgent focus on winning now, leveraging the peak performances of stars like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, and Mattias Ekholm.
"It’s not a happy day for Bowman to have to move out Mangiapane, especially if Edmonton has to add a sweetener, but it’s the kind of contract that comes, and the kind of trade that apparently will come, because the Oilers are madly focused on winning this year, right now, not a few years from now," the analysis notes.
Performance and Contract Considerations
While Mangiapane hasn't been a poor performer for the Oilers this season—showing effectiveness at even strength compared to teammates like Trent Frederic or Mattias Janmark—his inability to produce points has been a concern. He is considered overpaid by approximately $1 to $2 million for the upcoming season, which could make him a valuable addition for another team if he regains his scoring touch.
The original bet on Mangiapane last July was based on Edmonton's championship window, but his lack of fit has necessitated a swift exit. Trading him would free up $3.6 million in cap space, enabling the Oilers to target a winger with size and scoring ability, as mentioned by Seravalli.
Conflicting Reports on Trade Priorities
Interestingly, Seravalli's mention of Edmonton seeking a scoring winger contrasts with recent comments from Oilers insider Bob Stauffer. Just ten days ago, Stauffer indicated on Oilers Now that the team's trade focus had shifted from a Top 9 forward to addressing defensive issues.
"I would have said six weeks ago that we would be looking at a forward Top 9 addition. I now believe the target is another defenceman as well. So we’ll see what happens," Stauffer remarked, adding a layer of uncertainty to the team's deadline strategy.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Oilers' front office to see how they navigate these roster decisions in their pursuit of Stanley Cup contention.
