Winger Trade Idea Between the Oilers and Maple Leafs Gets Strong Reaction

As the Edmonton Oilers continue to look for ways to move Andrew Mangiapane, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue searching for better lineup balance. A potential trade concept has surfaced, sending Mangiapane to Toronto for Matias Maccelli. Jim Parsons of The Hockey Writers noted that nothing suggests this is a deal either team has discussed, just a theory that there could be a fit.

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He wasn’t the only writer to suggest the idea. Sean Panganiban of Oilers Nation wrote:

“For the Maple Leafs, just like the other teams mentioned in this piece, the main hope is that a change of scenery would help Mangiapane find consistency, and for them, a near one-for-one trade for another inconsistent forward, Matias Maccelli — who was a healthy scratch for ten games between Nov. 22 and Dec. 20 but has three points in his last three games — could be a deal both teams would be willing to make.”

The idea originally gained traction following comments from Elliotte Friedman, who suggested both Edmonton and Mangiapane may be open to exploring a change of scenery if the right situation presents itself. Other reports then confirmed the trade talk and Mangiapane was pulled from a game versus the Jets on Monday night, with his agent permitted to seek a trade with other teams.

Why the Maple Leafs and Oilers?

For the Oilers, the timing matters. Injured forwards are returning, internal competition is increasing, and younger players like Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson are pushing for NHL opportunities. That squeeze has left Mangiapane in an uncomfortable spot. Once expected to play a meaningful role after signing in free agency, his ice time has dropped sharply. His confidence appears shaken, with just one goal in his last 24 games, and Friedman noted the Oilers would listen if a deal offered him a larger role elsewhere.

Toronto, meanwhile, is dealing with its own fit issues. Maccelli was brought in to help offset lost offense, but has struggled to carve out a consistent role. While his production has been better than Mangiapane’s this season, the fit arguably hasn’t clicked, and he’s already spent significant time as a healthy scratch. Head coach Craig Berube has increased his usage lately, but questions remain about where he fits long-term.

From a theoretical standpoint, the swap makes some sense. Edmonton could benefit from a younger, playmaking winger with upside alongside elite centers, while Toronto could gamble on Mangiapane’s proven scoring history and potentially extract an additional asset from the Oilers. It wouldn’t necessarily be a one-for-one deal, but rather a mutual acknowledgment that both players might need different environments to rediscover their games.

Fan Reaction to the Trade Idea

Reaction to the concept has been sharply divided. Many Maple Leafs fans pushed back hard, calling the move a lateral swap that adds risk without upside. Several pointed to Mangiapane’s age, contract term, and declining production, arguing Toronto would be committing future cap space for a player unlikely to improve. Others felt the Leafs should stand pat entirely.

One commenter wrote: “I don’t see any trade that the Leafs could pull of right now that would make them a better team. They have limited draft capital and a diminished prospect pipeline, and few movable players that would fetch any value in return. The Leafs are better off waiting this one out and making changes in the offseason.” They add, “With proper supporting pieces and bounceback seasons from Matthews and Nylander, I could see this team being a contender.”

A smaller group saw potential value, noting Mangiapane’s proven upside compared to Maccelli’s uncertainty. Still, skepticism dominated the discussion, with many doubting whether a change-of-scenery trade between two struggling players would meaningfully help either team.

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