Could a Mangiapane-Sharangovich Swap Make Sense for the Oilers and Flames?
When Andrew Mangiapane was scratched from the Oilers’ lineup earlier this year, it felt like the writing was on the wall. A trade seemed imminent-something to give the 29-year-old winger a fresh start and Edmonton a chance to recalibrate. But here we are at the roster freeze, and Mangiapane is still wearing blue and orange, with just under two weeks left after the freeze lifts to find him a new home.
That doesn’t mean conversations aren’t happening behind the scenes. General managers across the league are laying groundwork now, knowing full well the frenzy that tends to follow once the freeze thaws. For Oilers GM Stan Bowman, that means continuing to explore the market for top-nine forward help-and keeping Mangiapane in those talks as a potential trade chip.
One of the more intriguing trade ideas floating around involves a deal with their provincial rivals down in Calgary. The concept? Sending Mangiapane back to the Flames in exchange for Yegor Sharangovich, with Calgary retaining 35% of Sharangovich’s salary-roughly $2 million.
Let’s break this down.
Sharangovich: A Buy-Low Opportunity?
At first glance, Sharangovich doesn’t scream “trade target” for Edmonton. He’s in the first year of a five-year, $28.75 million contract he signed with Calgary in 2024, and his production this season-20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) in 52 games-hasn’t exactly turned heads.
But here’s where it gets interesting: salary retention. If Calgary eats 35% of his cap hit, Sharangovich’s AAV drops from $5.75 million to a much more manageable $3.75 million. That’s not nothing, especially for a cap-conscious team like Edmonton looking to add scoring depth without mortgaging the future.
And while his numbers this season are modest, Sharangovich isn’t far removed from a 59-point campaign in 2023-24, where he potted 31 goals and 28 assists. Even in the seasons since, he’s been tracking at a respectable 17- to 19-goal pace over a full 82-game schedule. That kind of secondary scoring could go a long way for an Oilers team that’s leaned heavily on its top four forwards.
The Fit in Edmonton
Sharangovich brings a skill set that could mesh well in Edmonton’s middle six. He’s known for his shot-specifically his quick release-and while he can run hot and cold, he’s shown he can finish when playing alongside skilled linemates. That’s exactly the type of player who could benefit from the Oilers’ offensive structure, especially if he finds chemistry with one of their play-driving centers.
There’s risk, of course. Sharangovich’s production has dipped, and a multi-year commitment always carries some uncertainty. But at a reduced cap hit and in the right environment, there’s a case to be made that he could bounce back-and maybe even thrive.
What About Mangiapane?
On the flip side, Calgary would be getting a player who’s clearly in need of a reset. Mangiapane has just 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in 49 games this season and hasn’t found his footing in Edmonton after signing a two-year, $7.2 million deal as a free agent last summer.
But he’s not far removed from being a reliable middle-six contributor himself, and a return to familiar surroundings in Calgary could help him rediscover that form. For the Flames, it’s a calculated move-one that could save some cap space and potentially unlock a better version of a player they know well.
A Deal Worth Considering
This isn’t necessarily the blockbuster move Oilers fans might be dreaming of, but it’s the kind of hockey trade that makes sense on multiple levels. Edmonton would be rolling the dice on a sharpshooter with upside, while Calgary gets a chance to rehabilitate a known commodity and clean up some cap space in the process.
It’s not without risk on either side, but with the clock ticking toward the trade deadline and both teams looking to fine-tune their rosters, this is the kind of deal that could quietly pay off. For Bowman and the Oilers, if they’re still struggling to find a new home for Mangiapane, a swap like this might be too logical to ignore.