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Oilers looking to move out a Forward

Originally posted on Pro Hockey Rumors
By Brennan McClain | Last updated Dec 29, 2025 12:07 PM ET

As the Edmonton Oilers return to a relatively healthy active roster, the team has begun looking to thin out a fairly saturated forward core. On today’s rendition of 32 Thoughts with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the insider shared that the Oilers are looking to move out a forward on the trade market.

Specifically, Friedman listed Andrew Mangiapane and Noah Philp as potential trade candidates. The latter is currently on waivers, and Friedman noted that there is some interest in Philp, but only if he clears waivers by this afternoon. If an interested team claims him, they’ll need to send him through waivers again if they wish to reassign him to the AHL. If they acquire him via trade after he clears, he’ll be ineligible for waivers for some time.

Edmonton’s thought process is fairly straightforward. The team has Zach Hyman back on the roster after a lengthy absence to begin the year, and recently activated Jack Roslovic from the injured reserve. Additionally, Friedman reported that Kasperi Kapanen, who’s currently on the team’s long-term injured reserve, is expected back soon.

Having so many players on the LTIR has limited the Oilers’ ability to accrue additional cap space for the trade deadline, so moving out a forward or two via the trade market will allow them to make bigger additions down the line if they choose to do so. Mangiapane, in particular, is making $3.6MM this season and next, making him the sixth-highest paid forward on the team.

It’s not a relationship that has gone particularly well, either. Edmonton brought Mangiapane back to Alberta last summer after a one-year stint with the Washington Capitals, though he hasn’t provided the middle-six firepower the Oilers were hoping for. He’s scored five goals and 11 points in 39 games this season, averaging 13:31 of ice time per game with a -16 rating.

Much like the Los Angeles Kings did with center Phillip Danault, Friedman suggested that the Oilers and Mangiapane could be heading for a mutual split. Mangiapane has a full no-trade clause this season, though he would likely waive that protection if he felt he could be moved to a better situation.

Meanwhile, the external interest in Philp is largely based on his role as a right-handed center, which is always in high demand around the league. His output has been fairly tepid with the Oilers, scoring two goals and five points in 30 games since the 2024-25 campaign. However, he did record 19 goals and 35 points in 55 games for the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors last season.

Aside from returning to a healthy lineup, the Oilers are facing more pressure to recall Isaac Howard back to the NHL. He’s certainly doing his best to force their hand, scoring nine goals and 20 points in 15 games for AHL Bakersfield with a +10 rating.

Regardless, if the Oilers feel satisfied with their roster leading up to the trade deadline, especially after acquiring Tristan Jarry and Spencer Stastney a few weeks ago, there are other options available to them. Aside from sending Philp through waivers, they could reassign depth forward Max Jones, which would give them another open spot.

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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