The Edmonton Oilers fell short of the Stanley Cup once again in 2025. They lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers for the second year in a row. This time, they lost in six games. And they entered NHL Free Agency needing to address a major roster flaw: a lack of scoring depth beyond Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
McDavid and Draisaitl are two of the best forwards in the NHL right now. They score at an elite pace, and they’ve shown the ability to take over the game in the most high-pressure situations. However, the depth behind them has severely lacked over the last few seasons.
This is not to say there aren’t players who can help McDavid and Draisaitl offensively. Evan Bouchard is already one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL. And players such as Zach Hyman have shown the ability to chip in the goals, as well.
However, their current group simply did not work. As a result, the Oilers shuffled the deck a bit. They traded Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson in separate deals, creating a few roster spots to fill in NHL Free Agency.
One of their signings this summer could prove to be a stroke of genius. The Oilers added a former 35-goal scorer to their ranks, and he could be a fantastic value add. Heavy.com is naming former Washington Capitals winger Andrew Mangiapane as the best signing the Oilers made in 2025 NHL Free Agency.
Elite Oilers Stars Recruited Andrew Mangiapane
David Berding/Getty ImagesAndrew Mangiapane is hoping to recapture his 35-goal form with the Edmonton Oilers.
Mangiapane has struggled since scoring his 35 goals with the Calgary Flames in 2021-22. He is still able to provide secondary offense, to be fair. However, his highest goal total since 2021-22 is 17, which he recorded in 2022-23 with the Flames.
Still, he has the ability to score goals, and his shot is recognized around the league. It’s so well respected that he received calls from Edmonton’s best when he hit the open market. Mangiapane revealed that McDavid and Draisaitl both reached out to recruit him, and this had a major impact on his decision.
“There’s a lot of emotions and people pulling you this way and that way, wanting you here or there,” Mangiapane said to Oilers NOW’s Bob Stauffer on 880CHED. “But when you have those two kinds of calibre players calling you, you listen. They’re obviously two great players, and I just want to come in and be a part of a winning team and winning culture. I want to contribute any way possible, but when those guys call, you listen to what they have to say.”
Mangiapane Rejoins Intense Hockey Rivalry
Mangiapane is rather familiar with Draisaitl and McDavid as an opponent. As mentioned, he played for the Flames when he had his career-best 35-goal season. This placed him at the center of the Battle of Alberta — the infamous rivalry between the Flames and Oilers. Joining the Oilers places him on the other side of this intense battle.
“It’s going to be fun to participate in the Battle of Alberta again,” Mangiapane said. “I think this was just a great fit for me, and Edmonton has a great team. I just want to come in here and play my game, helping the team in whatever way possible to win, and hopefully get them over the finish line this year. I’m excited to be an Oiler and I’m eager to get things started already.”
Mangiapane is hoping to regain his goal-scoring touch in one of the league’s more elite offenses. Perhaps playing alongside some of the best playmakers in the world is what he needs to spark his game again. He will make his Oilers debut on October 8 when Edmonton plays host to the Flames at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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