In Edmonton, Andrew Mangiapane embarks on a new chapter, having spent years competing against Connor McDavid from their youth hockey days in the Greater Toronto Hockey League to the intense Battle of Alberta rivalry.
This week marks a significant change as Mangiapane finds himself not only on McDavid`s team but also playing on his line. Following a subdued season in Washington and six years with the Calgary Flames, Mangiapane now brings his tenacious style to Northern Alberta.
It`s a classic case of “if you can`t beat them, join them.”
Mangiapane reflected on their past, stating, “You always had to shadow him, even at that young age. I was the guy skating around, or trying to skate around, keeping up with him. It`s funny – now you`re on the same team.”
Donning an Oilers practice jersey for the first time at training camp on Thursday, Mangiapane admitted it felt somewhat surreal.
“Yeah, it`s a little weird,” he commented, joining his third NHL team with the goal of rejuvenating his career after a middling performance with the Capitals in the Eastern Conference. “One of the reasons I chose to come here was their genuine interest. They recognized my abilities and playing style, and they actively pursued me.”
He added, “They made me feel truly welcome, even before I officially signed my contract.”
Prior to signing his free-agent contract with the Oilers, Mangiapane received calls from several team members, notably Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse, whom he recalled having the most on-ice confrontations with during his time as a Flame.
He chuckled, “I`m sure they`ve disliked me on the ice before, but I believe everyone understands it`s part of the game; emotions run high. It doesn`t mean anyone is a bad person.”
Mangiapane is fully committed to Edmonton, especially with the birth of his first child, son A.J., in the city on August 7th.
His two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.6 million signifies the Oilers` expectation for his characteristic gritty play, combined with consistent offensive output as a top-six forward.
McDavid commented, “I`ve never played with him, only against him. He was always that irritating opponent, so it`s great to have him on our team now.”
McDavid further emphasized Mangiapane`s value: “But he`s much more than just an agitator. He`s a player who has scored 35 goals. He brings an aggressive style, speed, and excels in puck battles. These are qualities I highly value in a winger, and I`m eager to build chemistry with him.”
With Corey Perry`s departure to the Los Angeles Kings, the Oilers lost a key disruptive presence. Unlike Perry, who embraced this role late in his career as a fourth-liner in Edmonton, most players tend to move away from such roles once they establish themselves in the league.
“There`s definitely a fine line,” observed a more experienced Mangiapane, now 29. “I feel like sometimes in Calgary, I might have overstepped, taking penalties that put the team at a disadvantage.”
He acknowledged, “But penalties are sometimes part of my game. I believe it helps me perform better; I tend to play more effectively when I`m a bit more aggressive.”
While Mangiapane achieved a 35-goal season with the Flames, his typical performance averages closer to 20 goals and 40 points. His production dipped significantly in the last two seasons, including a career-low 14 goals and 28 points with the Capitals last year.
Regarding his move to the Oilers, he stated, “This is a fantastic opportunity to re-establish myself. It`s precisely why I wanted to come here. You want to win, perform well in the playoffs, and make a deep run. I haven`t experienced that yet, and I`m eager to.”
Leon Draisaitl`s Selke Ambitions
On Thursday, Leon Draisaitl contacted Anze Kopitar following the announcement that the esteemed L.A. Kings player would retire after this NHL season.
Kopitar, the Slovenian star, has long been regarded as the Western Conference`s equivalent of Patrice Bergeron, a reputation Draisaitl now aims to earn.
Draisaitl shared on Friday, “Kopy was always my idol growing up. I learned so much from competing against him and observing his play. I even had the privilege of playing alongside him at the 2016 World Cup, where he mentored me. We`ve maintained a close friendship ever since.”
Kopitar`s proficiency as a two-way player is, and always has been, exemplary.
“His game is truly exceptional, as good as you`ll ever witness,” Draisaitl remarked. “It`s his consistency that stands out. He`s maintained that high level every single day, every game, for a very long time. It took me a while to reach that point, but I feel I`m there now.”
Last year, Draisaitl was the sole NHL player to achieve 50 goals and 100 points, and over the past five seasons, he ranks second in the league for both goals (231) and points (534). His next objective is to be recognized as an elite defensive forward, a final accomplishment for a career destined for the Hall of Fame.
When asked about his seasonal goals on Friday, he stated, “I`d like to be part of the Selke Trophy discussion by the end of this year. Achieving that involves many aspects I can improve upon, but I also believe there are many areas where I already excel.”
