The Pittsburgh Penguins have yet to make any trades this offseason, even as their division rivals, the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals, have made significant moves to strengthen their rosters.
The Penguins have plenty of opportunities to make trades and fill needed positions. One less obvious area for improvement is the second line, where Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane could find the perfect environment to revitalize his career.
Trade rumors have already connected the Penguins and Flames this offseason. Both teams are in difficult situations, neither being Stanley Cup contenders nor ready to commit to a full rebuild. The Flames have already traded their starting goalie to New Jersey, and Mangiapane might be the next to go.
Mangiapane would be a valuable addition to the Penguins’ forward group for several reasons. Firstly, he excels near the net. Despite his smaller stature at 5’10” and 185 pounds, he is fearless in the offensive zone. His highlights from last season demonstrate his effectiveness in scoring scrappy goals, which the Penguins need.
Secondly, Mangiapane’s intensity is noteworthy. He gives his all in every zone, forechecking aggressively, playing physically against defenders, and blocking shots. His effort level is consistently at 110%.
However, his scoring has declined over the past two seasons. After achieving a career-high of 35 goals in 2021-22, he scored 17 and 18 goals in the following seasons. The Flames still view him as a top goal scorer, which he isn’t. With the Penguins, he could play to his strengths without unrealistic expectations.
Mangiapane would fit well on either of the Penguins’ top two lines, particularly alongside Evgeni Malkin. His speed and effort in the offensive zone complement Malkin’s playmaking abilities.
The Penguins have a lot of work to do this offseason to make it back to the playoffs in 2024-25. While other needs may take precedence, Mangiapane shouldn’t be overlooked. He could bring the style of play the Penguins need and benefit from a fresh start.
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Jacob Punturi
Jacob is a freelance writer and playwright from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He works as the Sales and Audience Development Manager for the Pittsburgh Public Theater and is passionate about the Pittsburgh Penguins, theater, and the city.
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