The Edmonton Oilers are making moves as the trade deadline approaches, with veteran winger Andrew Mangiapane on the trading block. Reports suggest that the Oilers are keen to finalize a deal before March 6. Teams like the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, and Winnipeg Jets have shown varying levels of interest in acquiring Mangiapane.
While Mangiapane carries a $3.6 million AAV for another year, his current season performance-just 12 points in 49 games-hasn't quite matched that paycheck. However, his past achievements, such as a 35-goal season in 2021-22 and winning the MVP at the 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championships, highlight his potential value. Teams with some cap flexibility might see him as a low-cost asset with the potential for a high reward.
Shifting gears to the Philadelphia Flyers, goalie Samuel Ersson faces a pivotal moment in his career. According to insiders, it's crunch time for Ersson, whose future with the Flyers hangs in the balance.
As a pending RFA, his performance has been underwhelming, with a .856 save percentage over 24 games this season. This follows a less-than-stellar .883 save percentage in 47 games the previous year.
With a cap hit of $1.45 million, Ersson needs to finish the season strong to secure a qualifying offer from the Flyers.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks are exploring various trade options as the deadline looms. While much of the focus has been on pending UFAs like Evander Kane and Teddy Blueger, the Canucks are also looking at using their cap space strategically to gain future assets. With a projected $5.7 million or more in cap space available, Vancouver is in a position to make some savvy moves, even if blockbuster deals like the Canadiens’ acquisition of Sean Monahan are off the table.