With the NHL trade deadline five days away, the Edmonton Oilers are getting aggressive to gain more flexibility and potentially improve their roster going into the stretch run.
Sunday, the Oilers placed former Capitals forward Andrew Mangiapane on waivers along with defenseman Alec Regula.
The move to put Mangiapane on waivers comes after the Oilers’ attempts to find him a new home on the trade market have failed. The team has been shopping the 29-year-old winger since the Christmas break, though his full no-move clause in his contract has complicated matters.
“I think there is an understanding there that if the Oilers could find something for Mangiapane with another team, where he might have a bigger role, he would be willing to waive,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said then on his 32 Thoughts podcast. “If another situation can be found, I think Mangiapane would be willing to look at it.”
Mangiapane was not re-signed by the Capitals this past offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Oilers pounced on the opportunity to add to their forward depth, inking Mangiapane to a two-year, $7.2 million ($3.6M cap hit) contract.
But the Toronto, Ontario native has not been a good fit on the Connor McDavid-led Oilers team, who are looking to return to the Stanley Cup Final for a third-straight season. Mangiapane has just 14 points (7g, 7a) in 52 games, and is on his way to posting career-worst numbers in a full NHL season.
The Oilers have a 47.8 expected goals percentage and have been outscored 38-21 at five-on-five with Mangiapane on the ice, a team-worst -17 mark.
The waivers move would not only allow another team to claim Mangiapane, but if he clears, it would allow the Oilers to stash the forward in the minors if they can’t find a taker, saving $1.15 million of his $3.6 million cap hit as the trade deadline approaches.
A number of teams have been linked to Mangiapane, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Other players placed on NHL waivers on Sunday include Canucks defenseman Guillaume Brisebois, Blues forward Robby Fabbri, and Panthers center Luke Kunin.
