What Changed? Analyst Points to 3 Forwards in Mangiapane-Oilers Shift

When news broke on Monday that the Edmonton Oilers and forward Andrew Mangiapane were both open to the idea of a trade, “in the right situation”, the conversation quickly turned in some circles to what happened. How did a player, after only 39 games, suddenly become someone the Oilers feel they can do without, and why is Mangiapane happy enough to leave if a better opportunity exists?

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Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos called it a “bad look”, but Oilers 880 CHED analyst Rob Brown offered some context behind what might be going on.

Suggesting this is too soon to make a determination on how poorly this relationship between Mangiapane and the Oilers has gone, Brown did admit there is some of that going on. Mangiapane hasn’t been productive. However, it’s not as dire as Justin Bourne suggests when he joked the two should seek “marriage counseling.” Instead, Brown suggested this might be about other factors, as much as it is about Mangiapane not being a fit.

The Oilers Have Other Options and Would Love the Cap Space

First, Brown explained that when Mangiapane was signed, Jack Roslovic was a thought, but he wasn’t coming in as a free agent for the Oilers. It’s now well known that the two sides talked, but it wasn’t until the first game of the regular season, and after things went sideways for Roslovic, that he circled back to Edmonton and signed a one-year deal.

The fact that Roslovic has been so good has limited Mangiapane’s opportunities.

Second, the emergence of Quinn Hutson and Ike Howard in the AHL is giving the Oilers reason to believe that Mangiapane is an expense they don’t need. Brown argued, “…they’re saying, okay, what if we could get rid of that 3.6 million? There are other holes that we need to fill.” The Oilers don’t need such an expensive third or fourth-line winger. That’s 3.6 million playing wing on the fourth line. “I’m sure the Oilers would love that cap space” if that’s where Mangiapane is going to be. He adds, “If for some reason, they were able to move away from 3.6 million… Wow, that opens up a little bit more cap space to possibly fill a hole at the trade deadline and whatever needs the others will have at that point.”

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