Mangiapane Gets Another Shot With Draisaitl as Oilers Face Capitals
Edmonton Oilers forward Andrew Mangiapane finds himself in an elevated position for Saturday night's matchup against his former team, the Washington Capitals. With general manager Stan Bowman still unable to facilitate a trade involving the 29-year-old winger, Mangiapane remains in organizational limbo while getting another opportunity to prove his worth alongside star center Leon Draisaitl.
Lineup Shuffle Creates New Opportunity
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has decided to slide Jack Roslovic back to third-line centre, creating space for Mangiapane to skate on the right wing with Draisaitl. This represents another chance for the struggling forward to demonstrate the value that prompted Edmonton to sign him as a free agent last July.
"We'll see how long he remains on right wing with Leon Draisaitl Saturday night against his old Washington Capitals teammates," said Knoblauch, acknowledging the experimental nature of the lineup change.
Trade Market Remains Quiet for Struggling Forward
To this point, Bowman has likely been offered other teams' struggling players in potential deals and has shown little appetite for such exchanges. The Oilers have been unable to find a team willing to take on Mangiapane's contract, which carries a $3.6 million cap hit through next season.
The general manager could potentially place the forward on waivers, which would provide approximately $1.15 million in cap relief if he were assigned to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors. However, for now, Mangiapane remains with the NHL club and gets another opportunity to showcase his skills.
Performance Struggles Continue
Mangiapane's first season in Edmonton has been challenging by any measure. The forward has managed just eight points over the last three months and has been scratched for six of twelve January games. His minus-18 rating represents the worst mark on the team, and he has shown little of the agitating, feisty play that characterized his early NHL career.
"Confidence is a big part of the game and you have to go out there believing in yourself, showing everyone what you can do," Mangiapane acknowledged when discussing his struggles.
Similar Situation to Previous Free Agent Signings
The Oilers brought Mangiapane in for support offence with some grit, but through 46 games he has managed just 12 points while averaging 13 minutes per game. His situation mirrors that of previous free-agent signings Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, who similarly struggled to provide the secondary scoring Edmonton desperately needs behind their top offensive weapons.
"I know it's been a very difficult season for him," Knoblauch said of Mangiapane, showing understanding of the player's challenges while still providing opportunities for redemption.
Facing Former Team Provides Additional Motivation
Saturday's game against the Capitals offers particular significance for Mangiapane, who spent last season with Washington before joining Edmonton as a free agent. The matchup provides both additional motivation and a familiar opponent against which to potentially jumpstart his game.
"Being hard on the puck is my game, in the corners, winning some battles," Mangiapane emphasized. "That's what I pride myself on, and I have to do it."
As the Oilers continue their push toward playoff positioning, Mangiapane's performance against his former team could prove pivotal both for his individual future and for Edmonton's offensive depth as they seek consistent secondary scoring behind their elite talent.
