The Edmonton Oilers are charging toward another Stanley Cup push, and while the team has found its stride in the standings, not every offseason move has gone according to plan. One of the more notable swing-and-miss acquisitions? Andrew Mangiapane.
The Oilers brought in Mangiapane hoping his two-way game could help push them over the hump. But nearly two-thirds into the season, that move hasn’t paid off the way Edmonton envisioned. Now, the team is actively exploring trade options for the 27-year-old winger, according to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun.
It’s not for lack of effort on Edmonton’s part. LeBrun reports that the Oilers have been engaged in trade talks for over a month, with multiple teams showing interest. So far, no deal has materialized - but the conversations are ongoing.
Among the teams that could be potential landing spots? Keep an eye on the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, and St.
Louis Blues. None of those clubs are currently in a playoff position, but all three were postseason teams just last year.
And with Mangiapane under contract through next season, he’s not just a rental - he’s a player who could help stabilize a middle-six role beyond this spring.
That extra year of control is part of what makes Mangiapane an intriguing option for teams looking to retool without hitting the reset button. He brings a reliable two-way presence, and while the offensive production hasn’t been there this season - just 12 points so far, including only one in January - his track record suggests there’s more in the tank.
That lone January point came on January 18, a goal against the very team that might soon make a play for him: the Blues. But outside of that flash, it’s been a quiet month. Mangiapane has suited up for just seven of Edmonton’s 13 games in January, a sign that both sides may be ready for a fresh start.
The Oilers, meanwhile, are in a very different spot. After a rocky start to the season, they’ve surged up the Pacific Division standings and now sit at 27-19-8, good for second place. With the playoffs in sight and eyes on the Cup, Edmonton is looking to fine-tune its roster - and moving Mangiapane could be part of that equation.
They’ll be back on the ice Thursday night when they host the San Jose Sharks, continuing a stretch that could define their second-half momentum. Whether Mangiapane is still in the lineup by then remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Oilers are working the phones, and a move feels more like a matter of “when” than “if.”