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What’s Really Going On With Andrew Mangiapane in Edmonton?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Feb 7, 2026 11:39 AM ET

When Andrew Mangiapane signed with the Edmonton Oilers, I thought he was a sensible pickup. He never drove the bus in Calgary, but he worked, he chipped in, and he didn’t need perfect conditions to be useful. Those are usually the guys who fit without a fuss.

But fast-forward a bit, and it just hasn’t come together. Not for him, not for the coaches, and certainly not for the bottom six he was supposed to help settle down. And every time I watch him now, I end up wondering: why isn’t any of this sticking?

In Mangiapane’s First Few Games, He Looked Good

You look back at his first few games, and he actually looked pretty good—quick on pucks, working hard, doing the little things. Then the mistakes crept in, and suddenly, he’s getting scratched. One bad shift becomes two, and before long, a player like Mangiapane is thinking more than he’s playing. That’s a tough spot for anyone, never mind someone trying to win over a new team.

Elliotte Friedman brought this up the other day, and he wasn’t wrong. The Oilers still haven’t solved the riddle of their bottom six. They’ve been hunting for players who can live in those roles, really settle in, know the job, and not get rattled when something goes sideways. The fact is that in Edmonton, they’re still tinkering, still patching holes, still hoping somebody fits.

Mangiapane and an Oilers’ Bottom Six that Doesn’t Work

And that’s where Mangiapane gets stuck. He’s functional, he works, and he’s not afraid of the tough areas. Still, none of that matters when you’re constantly looking over your shoulder. Sit a guy too often, and he stops trusting his own game. Instead of playing, he’s trying not to mess up. Very few players can survive that. Even fewer thrive.

I honestly don’t know if this is a Mangiapane problem or an Oilers problem. Maybe both. Maybe it’s just one of those awkward fits that never settles, even though on paper it should have.

But here’s the thing: the Oilers need someone like him to work. They can’t have a bottom six that feels like a revolving door every other night. At some point, they need players who don’t just blend in—they need players who anchor something.

Can Mangiapane Grow into a Productive Role in Edmonton?

If Edmonton can steady things and give him a role he can actually grow into, I think there’s still a player there. A useful one. But the clock is ticking. If this doesn’t sort itself out soon, it’s hard to see how it ends well for either side.

And that’s the Oilers’ mystery of the moment: good player, good opportunity… yet something’s off. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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