Amid trade rumours, Oilers healthy scratch Andrew Mangiapane against Jets

At face value, it’s not too surprising as Manigapane just hasn’t panned out this season. Through 39 games this season, the 29-year-old winger has five goals and 11 points in 39 games. However, three of those goals came in the first eight games. Since Nov. 8, Mangiapane has a goal and five points in 24 games and is a -10.

The Oilers have shown they aren’t scared to scratch underperforming players, as Trent Frederic was scratched in the Oilers’ 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 21. It’s the timing that makes this report interesting.

On Monday morning, the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast came out, with Elliotte Friedman noting that Mangiapane would be willing to waive his no-move clause if it’s to a team that’ll give him more opportunity. So far this season, Mangiapane has spent most of his time in the Oilers’ bottom six. Another wrinkle is that Mangiapane was on the fourth line during the practice in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon.

Any trade has the opportunity to be mutually beneficial. Not only would Mangiapane get opportunity elsewhere, but the Oilers can get out of his two-year deal worth $3.6 million annually, allowing them to make a bigger addition before Mar. 6’s trade deadline.

It was another questionable free agency move from the Oilers. At the start of the 2024 off-season, the Oilers signed Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. Add in the fact that the Oilers also re-signed Adam Henrique and Mattias Janmark, and it prevented them from addressing their goaltending situation until recently.

Interestingly, the Vancouver Canucks made Jake DeBrusk a healthy scratch, while the Ottawa Senators made defenceman Nick Jensen a healthy scratch. This doesn’t mean anything, but the timing of it all is curious to say the least.