Oilers hit a wall in latest trade attempt

The Edmonton Oilers continue to explore ways to reshape their roster ahead of the stretch run, but their latest trade pursuit appears to be hitting some roadblocks.

According to Pierre LeBrun, the Oilers remain engaged in trade discussions involving winger Andrew Mangiapane. Edmonton has reportedly taken an open-minded approach when it comes to a potential return, signaling a willingness to be flexible in order to make a deal work. At 29 years old, Mangiapane has one year remaining on his contract, carrying a manageable $3.6 million average annual value.

Despite that, a market has yet to fully materialize.

“It’s not for a lack of trying. My understanding is that the Oilers are having ongoing conversations with teams open-minded about a return. But there hasn’t been a fit so far,” wrote LeBrun.

LeBrun noted that several teams could make sense as potential landing spots, including the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, and St. Louis Blues. Each club could use additional depth on the wing, particularly from a player who has proven he can contribute at both ends of the ice when at his best. However, interest so far has not translated into a deal.

One of the main complications appears to be the extra year remaining on Mangiapane’s contract. While the cap hit itself isn’t considered prohibitive, teams may be hesitant to commit beyond this season without a clearer sense of what version of the player they would be acquiring.

That concern is only amplified by Mangiapane’s recent production. After peaking earlier in his career, his offensive numbers have dipped over the past couple of seasons, raising questions around whether a change of scenery would be enough to spark a rebound.

As the trade deadline inches closer, Edmonton may need patience, or creativity, to overcome yet another hurdle in a competitive market.