The Calgary Flames selected Andrew Mangiapane 166th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In just over four years since then, he has grown into so much more. Now, Mangiapane has a full-time role in the NHL, with a chance for an increased role in the coming years. In the season following his draft year, Mangiapane showed why the Flames were willing to use a sixth-round pick on him as he continued to be a dominant offensive presence in the OHL. That season, he was able to put up 106 points in 59 games with the Barrie Colts. The offensive production we seen from Mangiapane in junior has finally started to carry over with Andrew Mangiapane’s increased offensive production in the NHL.
His performance that season was enough to earn him a two-way contract. The following season was a chance to prove himself with the Stockton Heat. Once in Stockton, he proved that he could make an offensive impact at the professional level by putting up 41 points on the season.
Calgary Flames Andrew Mangiapane’s Bolstered Offence
Improvements
The 2017-2018 season was an extremely successful one for the 2015 NHL draft pick. In the AHL, he put up phenomenal offensive numbers with 46 points in 39 games. With this elite production, Mangiapane found himself in the NHL.
In his 10 NHL games that season, he was held off the scoresheet. Except, Mangiapane’s impact is not accurately measured by what is seen on the scoresheet. In the end, his performances at the NHL level that season did not make enough of an impression on the coaching staff for him to push his way onto the opening day roster for the 2018-2019 season. However, that would be short-lived as Mangiapane was back up with the Flames by early December. The Flames sent Mangiapane back down to Stockton after 13 games. That stint only lasted two games, and as of right now, those are his last two games in a Stockton Heat uniform.
While down at Stockton, the native of Bolton, Ontario regained his scoring touch as he buried two goals in as many games. This translated to the NHL as it only took him four games to finally get his first goal against the Vancouver Canucks. Since then, Mangiapane has had a much larger offensive impact with the Flames. In his first 23 games, Mangiapane was only able to pick up one assist. After his demotion and subsequent promotion to the NHL, he has picked up 15 points in 42 regular-season games, which includes 10 goals. In the playoffs, Mangiapane was able to find the back of the net last year against the Colorado Avalanche. This production increase has allowed Mangiapane to carve out a full-time roll in the bottom six for the Flames.
Beyond the Numbers
Even though his offensive numbers may not look spectacular, his production is quite reliable for a bottom-six forward who is still improving. However, there is much more to Andrew Mangiapane than what shows up on the scoresheet. His high work-rate and his willingness to leave it all on the ice every shift stands out every time he hits the ice. He has shown the ability to be effective in all three zones. He plays hard on both the forecheck, and the backcheck, and ensures that he makes his opponents work for everything while he is on the ice.
Physically, he does not look menacing, at 5’10”, and 183 pounds. However, he does not allow his lack of size to inhibit his ability to play hockey. He plays much bigger than his size as he does not shy away from any physical play. He even excels in these situations as he is often able to win battles along the boards. Defensively, Andrew Mangiapane is extremely reliable and has the combination of heart and hockey IQ to consistently get in the right positions. Mangiapane has the grit, heart, and hustle necessary to excel in a bottom-six role in the NHL.
Opportunity for an Elevated Role for Mangiapane
For Andrew Mangiapane, this season represents a big opportunity for him to prove that he belongs in an elevated role for the Calgary Flames. So far this season, he has reached the 15-minute mark twice, something he was only able to do once before this season. This has come in large part due to getting some time playing on the second line.
At the moment, the Flames seem to be holding auditions for the final spot on the second line. So far this season, Michael Frolik, Sam Bennett, Austin Czarnik, and Andrew Mangiapane have all gotten an opportunity. The Flames seem fully committed to finding somebody other than Frolik to take this spot. Mangiapane seems like as good an option as any.
Looking at his goal production, since his last stint in the AHL he has put up 10 goals in 42 games. This would be good for just shy of 20 in a full season. Playing alongside talented players like Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund, this number would certainly increase. With the right opportunity, Mangiapane could have the upside of being a 25 plus goal scorer.
Andrew Mangiapane’s Game
Andrew Mangiapane’s has an extremely well-rounded game. Mangiapane’s defensive prowess and work ethic are clear every shift. The offensive skill set is also there as the winger is an awesome skater with an excellent hockey IQ. This allows him to get into the right spots offensively. He is dangerous coming in off the rush and is a tough player to contain due to his versatility in the offensive zone. Mangiapane gets it done on the forecheck, in the cycle, and even by exploiting open space. He uses this skill set to help generate scoring opportunities.
The key to Andrew Mangiapane’s offence is his high-level hockey IQ. The bulk of his offensive production comes from him getting into the right spots, at the right time. For now, Andrew Mangiapane is on an extremely affordable contract of $715,000 over one year. The 2015 NHL Draft pick is constantly improving, and it seems only right for the Flames to reward him with a fair chance of being a consistent top-six player in the NHL in his contract year.
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