The Stanley Cup Final is just about to come to an end, and so the offseason will begin league-wide. The 2024 NHL Draft is less than two weeks away, while free agency is set to open in two weeks. It will be an interesting summer for the Flames. We saw an exodus take place over the last year, and that could continue this summer.
A source tells The Win Column that Andrew Mangiapane is unlikely to re-sign with the Calgary Flames. Thus, he is very likely to be traded before next year’s NHL Trade Deadline. There is a possibility he will even be dealt some time this summer, depending on the level of interest.
A look into Mangiapane and why he could be an interesting trade candidate
The 28-year-old winger just wrapped up his seventh season as a Flame. Drafted 166th in the 2015 NHL Draft, Mangiapane has been a fan favourite for several seasons as he continued to improve year over year. He really popped in 2021–22, where he had 35 goals and 55 points in 82 games. That was convenient for Mangiapane and his camp, as he was in line for a new contract that following summer.
Apart from his career season in 2021–22, Mangiapane trends out as a 20-goal, 45-point winger. He will no doubt have trade interest, especially if the Flames retain on his $5.8M cap hit. Note: Mangiapane does hold an eight-team no-trade list. Mangiapane had a great result playing for Team Canada at the World Championships, scoring 7 points in 10 games. A team that jumps off the page as a trade destination for Mangiapane is the Carolina Hurricanes.
Mangiapane is a success story for Calgary
For the Flames, Mangiapane was a great success story with the organization. He came up and played on one of the most entertaining and effective fourth lines in recent Flames memory. Then he continued to improve and elevate further up the Flames lineup. His tenacious play and compete level have helped him become a player that coaches rely on and trust in all areas of the ice.
Mangiapane has been an impressive middle-six winger, posting some excellent underlying results. Playing with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman proved to be a great combination, as the trio has been one of the best lines in the NHL in terms of underlying numbers in recent seasons.
The Flames should have pencilled in Mangiapane as a trade candidate just based on his contract and play versus the direction of the team. When conducting TWC’s Year-End Survey, we asked fans what they would do with Mangiapane. 54% of respondents said they would trade Mangiapane this summer. Another 38.9% of respondents said they would trade him before next year’s deadline.
What the Mangiapane trade return could look like
As for a trade return, I would imagine something around a second-round draft choice or equivalent, especially if he comes with retained salary. Reilly Smith was dealt from Vegas to Pittsburgh at this time last year for a third-round draft pick. Anthony Mantha was dealt from Washington to Vegas at this past deadline in exchange for second- and fourth-round draft picks. Vladimir Tarasenko was dealt from Ottawa to Florida for third- and fourth-round draft picks (with the condition that the fourth-rounder upgrades to a third if the Panthers win the Cup).
Mangiapane could fetch something like this depending on the teams that court his services.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
