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Oilers and Leafs could link up to swap struggling forwards in trade
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
According to one analyst and hockey writer, Edmonton should make a straight-up swap to replace ailing forward Andrew Mangiapane.
Lateral deal could help both teams, and players
Before Edmonton had signed free-agent Mangiapane on July 1st, they'd shown considerable interest in then-Utah forward Matias Maccelli, who'd been traded to the Leafs only days before.
The following post had confirmed as much in the summer:
In the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman said that he believes the Edmonton #Oilers were one of "three or four other teams" who had interest in Matias Maccelli before he was traded to the Maple Leafs.
- Caleb Kerney
- Caleb Kerney
Of course, Edmonton went with Mangiapane, on whom they had counted on to play a style that made him effective with Calgary, bringing intensity and dragging his team to do battle with his scrappy demeanor.
Except, he hasn't done that, nor has he produced at the expected level, with just 4G and 6A over 31 games with the Oilers.
It's just not good enough.
Yet, nor has the player in whom the Oilers had shown interest this summer before he was traded, Matias Maccelli, who has similar numbers now with the Leafs, 4G and 4A over 22 games.
Even their salary cap is about the same. The only real difference between the two forwards is Mangiapane's remaining one year after this season.
Stan Bowman could easily facilitate a trade for Maccelli with Toronto, a one-for-one swap that could kickstart both players' year leading up to the post-season.
Maccelli has been a healthy scratch for Toronto, and Mangiapane is just not cutting it in Edmonton.
Though it would be a minor-enough deal, the ramifications could be substantial for the Oilers, who not long ago believed Maccelli could help them, and possibly still can.
With Stan Bowmand' goalie trade yesterday, we could be seeing more activity for additional help in the lineup.