The clock may be officially ticking on an Andrew Mangiapane trade – and the timing is more important than the names being announced.
In the January 6 episode from Oilers NowBob Stauffer asked Elliotte Friedman if there was a player he would like to see moved in the next two to three weeks. Friedman was quick to respond that Mangiapane was his best bet, with Friedman noting that there was ongoing talk that an opportunity could soon arise for the winger.
Why two to three weeks? That’s when the Olympic roster freeze takes effect, and teams wanting to make meaningful adjustments to their roster before then must do so by February 4. There are reports that many teams are delaying their trades until after the Olympic break – mainly due to possible injuries to players going – but Mangiapane’s situation is a little different. He is a cap dump deal and not involved in the Olympics.
If Mangiapane is going to move, the next few weeks are the best and most logical time to do so.
Reports indicate that Edmonton has spoken with the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets. The idea is that if the Oilers sign a player back, they are looking for a forward who will embrace the role that Mangiapane is reluctant to play, or that Mangiapane is actually built for.
Are the jets the best choice?
The team the Oilers play on Thursday night, the Winnipeg Jets, stands out. They’re looking for offense, have trouble finding consistent scoring, and have a surplus of exactly the kind of two-way forward Edmonton values. Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun both identified Winnipeg as the most realistic landing spot.
All signs point to some urgency emerging here. If Mangiapane is moved, it will likely happen quickly – before the Olympic freeze forces teams to hit pause and reassess, which the Oilers may not want to wait for.
Next: Henrique’s 15-game injury is currently changing the picture for the Oilers
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