Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl pressured Oilers’ GM Bowman to make significant move

On opening day of Free Agency in the NHL last week, the Edmonton Oilers signed unrestricted free agent left winger Andrew Mangiapane to a two-year contract that carries a $3.6-million average annual value. General manager Stan Bowman made room with trades that took away some fire power up front and apparently his two superstar players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, pressured him to sign Mangiapane. The captain and star forward also personally called Mangiapane to make sure he would be coming to Edmonton.

“People pulling you this way and that way and wanting you here or there. But when you have those two caliber players calling you, you tend to listen,” Mangiapane said during an appearance on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer.

As soon as he hit market, Mangiapane became a target for multiple playoff contenders, with the Maple Leafs highly interested in signing the Toronto native.

But Mangiapane admitted to Stauffer that having both McDavid and Draisaitl personally reached out during the free agency period had a major impact on his decision to sign with Edmonton.

Mangiapane has the potential and talent to play in the top six of the Oilers alongside either McDavid or Draisaitl after a down season in Washington.

After being traded from the Calgary Flames at the NHL Draft last season, Mangiapane recorded 14 goals and 14 assists in 81 games for the Capitals from a reduced role in their bottom six.

Now an Oiler, Mangiapane is hoping to contribute 20-plus goals next to McDavid or Draisaitl.