Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The buzz is growing around the league and the offseason frenzy is getting closer. There are numerous trade targets on the block and the suitors are growing. A new name has surfaced and it concerns the Calgary Flames.
NHL Rumours
Rumour: David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period discusses Andrew Mangiapane being on the move
The biggest buzz surrounding the Calgary Flames is goaltending Jacob Markstrom. According to Pagnotta, the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs are in the mix. Also, the front runner for his services is the New Jersey Devils. Markstrom waived once before and there is belief that the mindset has not changed.
However, he is not the only Flame who could be on the way out. It is also noted that the Devils are looking to upgrade up front. During an interview at the NHL scouting Combine, Tom Fitzgerald said,
“I’m in the goalie market talking to teams, but there’s a ‘but’ and the ‘but’ is how do we want to build our team,” Fitzgerald said. “We’d like to add up front, we’d like to add on the back end, so what are those pieces going to cost us. With the goaltending, what’s that going to cost us?
One player that teams have called about is Andrew Mangiapane. Not necessarily the Devils, but he would fit the need for added scoring up front.
The Next Flame to be Out
The latest NHL Rumours swirls around Mangiapane. He is in the final year of his contract and makes $5.8 million per season. He is 28 years old, so there is a lot of good hockey left in the tank. Although, whether he comes as a rental or signs a longer deal with the newly acquired team remains to be seen.
Mangiapane is a player that plays with great speed and has amazing offensive instincts. He would be a tremendous boost to any forward group and adds that extra layer of goal scoring. Mangiapane reached a career high of 35 goals during the 2021-22 season and 55 points. Furthermore, he is coming off back to back 40 point seasons. It isn’t just his ability to provide extra goal scoring but his playmaking ability.
Of the 26 assists he had during the season, 17 of them were primary. Whoever is getting this player, is getting a tremendous asset and a good offensive threat. What does this mean for the Flames though?
What this Means for the Flames
This set of NHL rumours shows where the Flames are heading. Craig Conroy has already done his due diligence of trading players with expiring deals. With Mangiapane being the next one up, he is a player that could be on his way out.
With the Flames heading for a full scale rebuild, shelling off another player that may not stick around is a wise business decision. There are nice young pieces the club has and gaining any other assets is good for what’s to come.
Main Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
