Oilers forward Andrew Mangiapane and defenseman Alec Regula successfully cleared waivers on Monday, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. This move comes as part of the Oilers’ strategic adjustments amid their current roster challenges.
Oilers Strategy Behind Waiver Moves
Mangiapane signed a two-year contract worth $7.2 million with the Oilers on July 1. The deal aimed to enhance the team’s offensive capabilities, particularly supporting stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, his performance has been disappointing.
- Goals: 7
- Assists: 7
- Games Played: 52
- Plus/Minus Rating: -19
Despite notable past achievements, including three seasons with 20 goals, Mangiapane has faced multiple healthy scratches this season. General Manager Stan Bowman noted that the decision to place him on waivers was more about managing the salary cap than his on-ice performance.
Andrew Mangiapane’s Background
The Toronto native is in his ninth season in the NHL. Mangiapane was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round (166th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft. Across his 550 NHL games, he has accumulated a total of 257 points, including 130 goals and 127 assists.
Alec Regula’s Performance Analysis
Also clearing waivers was Alec Regula, who is in his first season with the Oilers. Regula has recorded three assists and holds a -16 rating over 29 games played. He recently had a conditioning stint in the AHL to improve his game.
Additional Players and Performance Updates
Other players mentioned include:
- Robbie Fabbri: 1 goal, 3 assists in 15 games with the Blues.
- Fredrik Pitlick: 2 points (both goals) in 32 games for the Wild.
- Gustafsson: Played 2 games for the Red Wings without recording a point.
- Victor Olofsson: Has not played in an NHL game for two seasons.
- Mikael Granlund: Appeared in 44 games with the Panthers, with 2 goals and 2 assists.
- Brisebois: Has not played a game with the Canucks this season.
As the Oilers adjust their lineup, the focus now shifts to maximizing the talent available and addressing the challenges posed by the current season. With key roster changes, the team hopes to improve their standing and performance moving forward.
