Western Conference Veterans Facing Crucial 2026-27 Season

Two days ago we broke down three veteran players in the Eastern Conference who are needing to turn things around to comfortably extend their NHL careers, not at the age of ideal retirement yet. It’s time to do the same for the West.

Although the hope is that every deserving player succeeds and goes out on their own terms whenever the time comes, it’s a reality that every year notable players like Kevin Hayes or Jeff Skinner move on from the NHL to new opportunities to close out their impressive careers. Who are three veterans in the Western Conference that could really use a bounce back year going into free agency to solidify their future at the highest level?

Andrew Mangiapane – Chicago Blackhawks

Things can change quickly in the NHL, and an unfortunate example is 30-year-old Andrew Mangiapane who faces a big prove-it season ahead. Five years ago a 35-goal scorer in Calgary, the winger fetched an extension worth $5.8MM per year as a key piece for the Flames at the peak of Darryl Sutter’s second tenure as a 50-win team. Unable to sustain which was an unrealistic 19% shooting percentage, Mangiapane was traded to Washington two years later for a second-round pick. Turning in a solid 14 goal, 28 point output in D.C. across 81 games, it was becoming only more clear that his 2021-22 campaign couldn’t be replicated, but Mangiapane was still signed to a two-year, $7.2 million deal with the Oilers last summer, expected to make noise alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. A lot has changed in just one calendar year. Immediately unable to find his stride in Edmonton, getting scratched, Mangiapane was waived in March and eventually traded to Chicago where clearing his salary was a clear motivation. It’s a small sample size with injuries a factor, but in 10 games with the Blackhawks, he didn’t find new life with just two points and ice time under 12 minutes.

Players like Jason Dickinson, of whom he was actually traded for, enjoyed rebuilding their stock in the rebuilding environment of Chicago. What’s different now is that the team is ready to turn the corner and compete. Thankfully there’s still a feasible path in the Hawks’ middle-six for him to grab, but having to compete with youngsters like Anton Frondell and Oliver Moore, it won’t be the type of situation where he can hold a seat comfortably in a low-pressure environment. Even if the scoring touch continues to fade, with no power play role, Mangiapane’s feisty style and work ethic are traits he can really lean into to stick in the lineup. Rather than trying to score 30 goals again, continuing to evolve into that sort of player as a bottom six mainstay is likely Mangiapane’s best option going into a contract year, and Chicago can certainly use such a player.

Brenden Gallagher – Vancouver Canucks

A beloved figure in Montreal whose tenure spanned from Tomáš Plekanec to Nick Suzuki, the time finally came for the Canadiens to move on from Brendan Gallagher and he’ll need to make the most of a fresh start to extend his NHL career into his late 30s. The 34-year-old was a regular during the regular season, suiting up for 77 contests, but on the fewest minutes of his whole career (12:21), he offered just 23 points and a lackluster 5.8% shooting percentage. Entering the final season of his six year contract worth $6.5MM, the former Vancouver Giant (WHL) is second-oldest on the club behind Luke Schenn, setting up for a chance to take on an important leadership role for the team as they move on from a brutal league-worst standing last year. The two vets have already spoken about the excitement they feel to take on that role.

Despite a dull season on the offensive front, Gallagher actually got a dosage of power-play time in his final Montreal season, averaging 0:58 a game on the man-up. By the spring he was unfortunately scratched as his team went on an unexpected playoff run, but when he did get into the lineup, his game-opening strike in Game Five’s win over Tampa Bay was a memorable moment as his final with the team. As for what’s expected of him as a Canuck, like the team as a whole, it won’t all be determined by the box score each night. Their dreadful season was enough of an anomaly that it’s not impossible for the group to surpass expectations, but even assuming it’s another tough year, Gallagher will make his mark as a leader on the bottom six, not killing penalties but perhaps impacting the PP2 unit. There’s always the chance of a move at the deadline, too, allowing the respected veteran a shot at a Stanley Cup. Gallagher on a team-friendly deal in 2027-28 is, of course, a much different conversation than his currently inflated contract. Still, finding his way back into 15-goal-range from his underwhelming 2026-27 numbers would really help maximize options.