NHL insiders reporting multiple suitors for Oilers' Mangiapane

The Edmonton Oilers signed their big fish in free agency this summer, locking up 29 year old winger Andrew Mangiapane to a two-year contract worth $3.6 million annual average value.

So far, his tenure with the Oilers has not gone as hoped as the forward has struggled to crack a role in the lineup, scoring 11 points (five goals, six assists) through 40 games this season. As well, he has found himself the subject of trade speculation and has been a healthy scratch this season.

The Oilers do not seem keen on stopping him from being a healthy scratch as they try to work out a trade for the winger as it is expected he will be one on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. Thankfully, there seems to be no shortage of suitors for the winger's services according to multiple reports.

Potential trade suitors for the Oilers struggling forward

According to multiple NHL insiders, there are plenty of teams vying for the services of the 29 year old struggling winger. Edmonton Oilerlytics on X (formerly twitter) compiled a list of teams and which NHL insider has connected Mangiapane to them.

There is also the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to Jeff Marek as well. This gives the Oilers plenty of options to move their struggling winger to with the teams interested being a surprisingly extensive list.

Reportedly, the aforementioned Blue Jackets are interested as well as various other clubs like; the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, and Winnipeg Jets.

Along with those teams, there are likely even more interested and despite his struggles, the market is deservedly robust. He has a long history of being able to chip in and be a solid contributor in an NHL top-nine, going back to his days with the Oilers provincial rival, the Calgary Flames.

What could a Mangiapane return look like?

At this stage, the biggest win in a Mangiapane trade for the Oilers is the team being able to move out from under his contract with a full season still left to go. It will be even more impressive if general manager Stan Bowman is able to move him without retaining any money on his contract.

Given this, it is hard to be too picky on a potential return but the hope right now is that the Oilers do not have to give up too much alongside Mangiapane in order to make a deal work. Even better if the team is able to dodge having to retain salary on his deal.

Opening up his contract will allow the Oilers to have more salary cap available heading into the trade deadline and the 2026 NHL off-season.

At this stage and given the stakes of the Oilers season, that return is more than enough.