Andrew Mangiapane’s time in Edmonton might be nearing its end, and with the trade deadline approaching, his name is one to keep an eye on. The 29-year-old winger hasn’t quite found his groove with the Oilers, and a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to reignite his game.
Several teams around the league are reportedly monitoring his situation, and a few stand out as potential landing spots - most notably the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, and St. Louis Blues.
All three are currently outside the playoff picture, but each has its reasons to take a swing on a player like Mangiapane, especially with another year left on his contract. That extra term could actually work in his favor, offering teams a bit more stability rather than a short-term rental.
Let’s start with Winnipeg. On paper, the Jets make a lot of sense.
Their top nine could use another injection of offensive skill, and Mangiapane - when he’s on - brings a mix of tenacity and scoring touch that could complement their forward group nicely. This is a team that’s built around a strong core but could benefit from more secondary scoring.
If Mangiapane finds his footing in Winnipeg, he could provide exactly that.
Then there’s Ottawa. The Senators are in that gray area - not quite in the playoff mix, but not fully out of it either.
They’ve been known to make moves around the deadline to shake things up, and Mangiapane would be a logical addition. He could slot into their third line as a replacement for Nick Cousins, bringing more offensive upside and a bit more versatility.
For a team trying to take the next step, adding a player with Mangiapane’s upside - especially at a potentially discounted trade value - could be a smart play.
St. Louis is another team that fits the mold.
The Blues have had trouble generating offense this season, and that’s no secret. They’ve struggled to find consistent production beyond their top line, and that’s where someone like Mangiapane could make a difference.
He’s not far removed from a 55-point campaign, and if the Blues believe they can help him rediscover that form, it’s a low-risk, high-reward scenario. Given where they are in the standings, this is the kind of calculated gamble that could pay off.
For Edmonton, moving Mangiapane might be less about giving up on him and more about finding the right fit - both for the player and the team. He’s shown in the past that he can be a productive middle-six forward. The question now is which team is willing to bet on a bounce-back, and whether the Oilers can turn that into a move that helps them in the short or long term.
With the deadline looming, Mangiapane’s situation is one of the more intriguing storylines to watch. He’s not a blockbuster name, but he’s the kind of player who can quietly make a big impact in the right setting. And for a few teams looking to shake things up, that might be exactly what they’re after.