The Edmonton Oilers have emerged victorious in the pursuit of a key free agent forward, securing the signature of Andrew Mangiapane, formerly of the Washington Capitals. The Toronto Maple Leafs were also reportedly interested in acquiring Mangiapane, but the Oilers ultimately won out, adding a versatile player to their top-six forward group.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs' interest in Mangiapane was hampered by their need to first shed existing salary. Mangiapane, seeking a quick resolution, opted to sign with the Oilers, who presented an immediate opportunity. "One of the reasons the Leafs didn't get Mangiapane was because they indicated they'd need to move some bodies out. And Mangiapane didn't want to wait," Friedman explained.
The Oilers inked Mangiapane to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.6 million. The 29-year-old winger is coming off a season where he recorded 14 goals and 14 assists in 81 regular-season games for the Washington Capitals. He also contributed a goal and an assist in 10 playoff games.
Oilers GM Stan Bowman highlighted Mangiapane's versatility and offensive capabilities, stating, "Starting offensively, he's got the ability to play in our top 6 and has experience playing left and right-wing, so there's flexibility there, whether he's going to play with (Connor) McDavid or Draisaitl. We can try him on both lines". Mangiapane himself confirmed that both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl contacted him to convince him that Edmonton would be a good fit, which motivated him to sign with the Oilers.
Mangiapane's signing addresses a need for the Oilers, who lost some firepower in free agency with the departures of forwards Corey Perry and Connor Brown. Perry joined the Los Angeles Kings, while Brown signed with the New Jersey Devils. The Oilers also traded Evander Kane to Vancouver, further emphasizing the need for offensive reinforcements.
In addition to Mangiapane, the Oilers have also added veteran forward Curtis Lazar. Lazar, 30, signed a one-year contract with a cap hit of $775,000. He brings playoff experience and two-way capabilities to the team. Lazar returns to Edmonton after playing junior hockey for the Western Hockey League’s Oil Kings from 2010 to 2014. He is known for his strong work ethic and defensive responsibility, and is expected to fill a fourth-line role.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs, having missed out on Mangiapane, are reportedly turning their attention to other free agent options, including Jack Roslovic. Roslovic, a 28-year-old center, is coming off a 22-goal season with the Carolina Hurricanes. He also has a connection with Auston Matthews, as they played together with the U.S. National Team Development Program. However, the Leafs may need to make some salary cap adjustments to accommodate Roslovic's potential contract demands.
The Oilers and Maple Leafs are both actively working to improve their rosters as they look toward the 2025-26 season. The Oilers' addition of Mangiapane provides a significant boost to their forward depth, while the Maple Leafs continue to explore their options in the free agent and trade markets.
