Andrew Mangiapane’s name is back in the trade rumor mill, and this time, there’s real smoke-though not necessarily a fire just yet. The winger, once a 35-goal scorer and a key piece in a middle-six role, is having a season that’s been anything but smooth. And while the Edmonton Oilers are reportedly open to moving him, the market isn’t exactly lining up with offers.
According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the situation is more complicated than it looks on paper. Mangiapane’s struggles this season have taken a toll on his trade value.
Instead of teams aggressively pursuing him, some front offices are reportedly asking the Oilers if they’d need to add an asset just to make a deal happen. That’s a steep drop for a player who, not long ago, was seen as a reliable scorer with a gritty edge.
It’s been a tough stretch. Mangiapane started the season with some promise, but the production dried up fast.
Confidence seems to have followed. After working his way back into the lineup following injuries, he was scratched again for the Oilers’ game against the Minnesota Wild-another sign that the team may be ready to turn the page.
Still, there are teams doing their homework. LeBrun floated the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, and St.
Louis Blues as clubs that might have some level of interest. Each of those teams is in a different place competitively, but they all could use some added scoring depth-or at least a reclamation project with upside.
The contract situation is another wrinkle. Any team looking to bring Mangiapane in has to consider the cap implications, especially if they’re hoping a change of scenery can spark a turnaround. He’s not a rental, so this isn’t just about a short-term playoff push-there’s a bit more risk baked in.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Oilers are clearly listening. Mangiapane, for his part, seems ready for a fresh start. The question now is whether another team sees enough in his game to take a swing-or whether he becomes a piece in a larger deal that’s more about balancing books than boosting lineups.
Either way, Mangiapane is a name to keep an eye on as the deadline buzz builds. He’s not the headline act of this year’s trade season, but in the right situation, he could still be a valuable addition-or at least a stepping stone in a bigger move.