Andrew Mangiapane Open to Trade As Oilers Make Roster Changes

The Edmonton Oilers may be approaching a big decision as their roster finally starts to get healthy. With key forwards returning, young players pushing for opportunities, and roles shifting, not everyone will be sticking around. Specifically, the Oilers might be forced to decide on the future of Andrew Mangiapane, who has been struggling this season.

Circumstances on both sides suggest a mutual understanding could be forming about whether a trade makes sense, with both the Oilers and the forward open to the idea.

During the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman explained that, with Jack Roslovic back and Kasperi Kapanen close, the Oilers are getting closer to a full lineup. Zach Hyman was hurt to start, came back, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins got hurt, came back… so it’s been in, out, in, out.

Mangiapane Is Being Squeezed Out

Friedman notes, “All of a sudden, they’re about to get healthy. And not only that, but people who’ve been watching the American Hockey League closer than I have — especially in Bakersfield — say that Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson have been extremely good down there.” He adds that there is an appetite to start giving these players a shot in the NHL.

Friedman explains:

“So we’re in a situation where there are going to be some extra bodies. I understand that one of the names that could be affected is Andrew Mangiapane. He started the year in a bigger role, and lately he’s struggled to find both ice time and consistency. In his last 10 games, three of them were under 10 minutes. In fact, he’s only had three games over 11 minutes…”

Mangiapane practiced in Winnipeg on Sunday on the fourth line. Friedman pointed out a couple of trades recently where situations weren’t working out — Phillip Danault in L.A., Mason Marchment in Seattle. Those were players who were dealt because it just wasn’t working, and you try to move on and find a better situation.

Mangiapane Is Reportedly Open to A Trade

Friedman reports that Mangiapane might be open to a change. He has a no-trade clause this year — a full no-move until the middle of June — but there’s an understanding that if the Oilers can find something where he’d have a bigger role, he’d be willing to waive. “This isn’t a hard trade demand or anything like that. It’s more a realization, like Marchment, that it just isn’t working in that spot,” said Friedman.

He adds, “We’ll see how it develops over the next few days, but a lot of this is being driven by Edmonton finally getting healthy and Howard and Hutson lighting it up. In that situation, some guys are going to have to sit, and some ice time is going to disappear. I think Mangiapane is one of the players who could potentially be moved to open up spots.”

“In the right situation, yes — I do think both sides would be willing.”

Next: How the Oilers Can Use New Cap Flexibility After Tomášek’s Exit