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The Edmonton Oilers seemingly spoil good players following their signing in Oil Country, according to one analyst’s opinion.
The Edmonton Oilers recent saga with Andrew Mangiapane has called into question the team’s assessment of free agent signings. On the surface, landing Mangiapane this past offseason was a solid move for Edmonton.
However, things haven’t really gone as planned. Mangiapane has struggled at times. That situation has led him to bounce from the top line to the checking line. His five goals in 40 games were not what the Oilers envisioned when they signed the 29-year-old to a two-year, $7.2 million contract.
That situation had led to speculation about Mangiapane wanting out of Edmonton. It seems fair enough that the Oilers would be willing to move Mangiapane so he could get a fresh start.
Unfortunately, Mangiapane’s lack of success signals a pattern for the Oilers. That pattern is something The Athletic’s Sean McIndoe pointed out in a January 1 piece. The notable analyst wrote:
“There’s something weird about how the Oilers keep signing talented offensive players to cheap deals that seem like can’t-miss wins, only to see them fail to really click with any of the existing offensive firepower. Last year, it was Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. This year’s it’s Mangiapane, following an iffy year in Washington with an even less productive one in Edmonton — he has just five goals and 11 points through the first half.”
McIndoe’s comments are interesting because they have an inkling of truth. Arvidsson has found a role with the Boston Bruins this season. Meanwhile, Skinner has been serviceable while playing for the upstart Sharks.
Perhaps getting away from the fishbowl in Edmonton has helped Arvidsson and Skinner return to form.
Pressure Could Play Significant Role for Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are among a handful of teams that place great pressure on players. The same goes for other teams like the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens. These teams have passionate fanbases and media that place great pressure on players.
As such, it’s reasonable to assume that a player like Mangiapane may not get nearly as much negative press in another market like Dallas or San Jose. Nevertheless, the fishbowl that is Edmonton magnifies every little thing.
That’s why it’s not insane to assume that Mangiapane would like to reset in a team that won’t nit-pick everything like the Oilers’ market does.
Contenders Could Look at Mangiapane
Contending teams could be looking into landing Mangiapane. He’s still a solid middle-six NHL forward. Under the right circumstances, he could become a decent contributor. It’s not crazy to expect him to return to a 15 to 20-goal form.
That said, his $3.6 million cap hit could make challenging for contenders to fit him under the cap. But a little bit of creativity could make something work out for all sides involved. Most importantly, Mangiapane has a full no-trade clause. So, if the Oilers wanted to pull off a trade, it would have to get his blessing.
Despite needing his assent, the Oilers could still find suitors looking to add some much-needed scoring depth. A move could be forthcoming as the animal spirits return to the NHL trade market.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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