'No Firm Offer' From Maple Leafs to Andrew Mangiapane Despite Interest

Andrew Mangiapane, a player of interest for the Toronto Maple Leafs during their search for another forward, ultimately signed with the Edmonton Oilers when free agency opened earlier this month, rather than his hometown team. Instead, Mangiapane signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Mangiapane was a guest on TSN’s First Up with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo and discussed Toronto’s interest. “For sure, I think I was definitely hearing out the Maple Leafs, obviously there’s some pros and cons,” Magiapane said. “But there was no really, I guess, firm offer or anything like that”.

Mangiapane had 14 goals and 14 assists in 81 games this season. His 28 points with the Washington Capitals last season were his lowest since the 2018-19 season, which he attributed to his role with the club. This time, however, there’s a chance he could be playing with the likes of Connor McDavid. Mangiapane said both players reached out to him about the prospect of joining the Oilers.

The player spent the first seven of his eight NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames, giving Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving familiarity with him. When he became a free agent, Mangiapane didn't think the Oilers would be interested given his ties to their Alberta rival. With wingers like former Maple Leaf Connor Brown departing Edmonton for the New Jersey Devils, however, there's certainly a fit, and the Oilers are betting that Mangiapane can bounce back by playing with some of the best talent in the NHL today.

In 498 NHL games, the 29-year-old Mangiapane has 123 goals and 120 assists. In 10 playoff games with the Capitals last season, the winger scored a goal and added an assist.

Where do the Leafs go for a top-six winger?

Through 10 days in July, the Maple Leafs have not been able to fill the void left by losing premier forward Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. However, it was never expected that void would be filled quickly. Buy-low acquisitions like Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth may pay off, but the Leafs would still like to add more potency up front.

According to PuckPedia.com, the Leafs have $4,983,081 in cap space based on a 23-player roster. That does not account for Nick Robertson’s arbitration case, which will take place later in the summer. There’s also talk that depth forwards David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok could be moved to open more cap space.

(Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)