Oilers News: Insider reports on latest Oilers trade rumours and more

It took a few days but now that the NHL holiday roster freeze has lifted, it seems to be full steam ahead on the news front and rumour mill.

The Edmonton Oilers are no exception as NHL insider Elliotte Friedman dropped a number of interesting tidbits regarding the Oilers on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts on Monday.

Andrew Mangiapane on the block

As Friedman reported, things have not worked for the Oilers big free agent signing, Andrew Mangiapane. He signed a two-year contract worth $3.6 million annual average value with the hopes of providing some secondary scoring throughout the top nine but he has not lived up to that expectation, scoring only 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 39 games this season.

He was even made a healthy scratch for Monday night's game against the Winnipeg Jets as Bob Stauffer reported.

Him being held out could be for a number of reasons, likely pointing to Mangiapane having played his final game as an Oiler and he will be traded promptly. He will likely garner plenty of interest given his historical production as a member of the Calgary Flames.

It remains to be seen when he will be traded but for all parties involved, this will hopefully be dealt with promptly.

Oilers and NHL news roundup

There are a number of smaller topics

Noah Philp claimed off waivers

The Carolina Hurricanes claimed 27 year old Noah Philp off waivers from the Oilers. The move is a disappointment as Philp has shown some legitimate abilities in the bottom-six, playing a coveted role as a right-shot centre.

However, him being claimed does free up a contract slot for the Oilers and gives an opening in the organizational depth chart for a young player such as Josh Samanski to take a step.

David Tomasek clears, contract terminated

The David Tomasek experiment has officially ended as a failure for the Oilers and the Czech forward. He garnered some hype heading into this season, having made a name for himself as a prolific scorer throughout multiple European professional leagues.

It is unfortunate but hopefully does not deter the Oilers or a future free agent from taking a chance on the club. Like Philp, his contract being terminated does open up a roster spot and $1.2 million AAV, giving the Oilers further flexibility to make moves and more easily bring players back from long term injured reserve.

The 29 year old is expected to return to Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League, leaving the NHL after playing 22 games, scoring three goals and two assists.

Chinakhov traded

After months since it was reported that 24 year old Russian winger Yegor Chinakhov submitted a trade request to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he was finally dealt to division rival, Pittsburgh Penguins.
Going the other way is a 2026 second round pick, 2027 third round pick, and forward Danton Heinen.

After the Blue Jackets shocked the hockey world, taking him in the first round at the 2020 NHL Draft, the pick has not worked out as they had hoped. Through 204 games played with the Jackets, he scored 77 points (37 goals, 40 assists) and by the end was mainly playing a bottom-six role for the club.

Many have called the price the Penguins paid a steep price but given they were able to get out from under Heinen's $2.2 million caphit and are buying low on a young asset.

Ultimately, it may take years to know who truly won the trade, especially with two future draft picks involved.