It feels like it’s been a somewhat quiet offseason for the Edmonton Oilers. There’s been no offer sheet drama, only a steady stream of player signings and trades highlighted by the re-signing of Evan Bouchard, signing Curtis Lazar, and trading prospect Sam O’Reilly to the Tampa Lightning for Issac (Ike) Howard. One signing that almost seems to have gone under the radar for me is the two-year, $7.2 million signing of former Calgary Flame and Washington Capital winger Andrew Mangiapane.
Related: What to Expect From the Oilers’ 5 New Additions in 2025-26
I always respected him when he played for the Flames, especially in the 2021-22 NHL season when he put up 35 goals. Even though he had a down 2024-25 with the Capitals with only 28 points, there’s a good chance he’s going to have an opportunity to surpass those numbers especially if he finds chemistry on a line with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
Mangiapane Excited to Join The Oilers
Back in early July when the Oilers first signed the veteran winger, he told TSN1050’s First Up he expressed a lot of enthusiasm about returning to the province of Alberta in the upcoming season. “”When they (The Oilers) reached out, I couldn’t pass up on that opportunity. I have this great opportunity to play on a Stanley Cup contender who went to the final two years in a row. They’re a great team, I get to play with great players, and I felt like it was a great fit for my family.” Mangiapane went on to reveal “(Connor) McDavid reached out, Draisaitl reached out and so did (head coach) Kris Knoblauch. When those guys are calling you, it’s tough to say no to them. It’s nice that they were able to reach out and it almost makes you feel like you’re wanted in a way. They want you and they know what I can do.”
Mangiapane Adds Grit To Oilers Line-Up
In a summer of transition where the Oilers lost Corey Perry to free agency and traded Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks, signing Mangiapane is an important. He may not provide the toughness of Perry or Kane, but he’s a top-six player who gets under the opponents’ skin and that’s a rare commodity in Edmonton. Magiapane told the Edmonton Media in a zoom call that playing with grit comes natural to him. “I feel like that’s where I thrive,” Mangiapane said. “Be on that line. Aggravate guys. Get under their skin. Be a pest. Be annoying to play against. I think that’s what kind of makes me successful, and…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…