The 2025 free agent market is beginning to wear thin. That could push teams to take aggressive runs at the few impactful lineup pieces available. One name already generating interest is Washington Capitals winger Andrew Mangiapane, who both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken are expected to pursue if and when he reaches the open market, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. The rumor was later confirmed from a Leafs perspective by Sporstnet’s Nick Alberga, who points out Mangiapane’s past relationship with Leafs general manager Brad Treliving.
The winner of the growing Mangiapane sweepstakes will be landing a very interesting player. Mangiapane has played far above his 5-foot-10 frame for much of the last seven seasons. He earned his place in the league with a pair of 32-point performances in 2019-20 and 2020-21, then broke out in a big way with 35 goals and 55 points in 82 games of the 2021-22 season. Even as he fell back to Earth in the wake of a career-year, Mangiapane continued to post strong numbers, reaching or crossing the 40-point mark in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
All five of Mangiapane’s strong scoring seasons came in a Calgary Flames jersey. He seemed to have secured a career role in the team’s middle-six, but that thought was extinguished when Mangiapane was traded to the Washington Capitals for a 2025 second-round pick last summer. The move instantly sparked questions of if and how Mangiapane could maintain his scoring with a new club. Those concerns were warranted when he posted just 28 points, split evenly, through 81 games of Washington’s season this year. He fell to a clear bottom-six role that continued on through the postseason, when he scored two points in 10 games.
But such a drop-off in scoring could indicate a return to admirable play could come with the a change of scenery. Mangiapane is one of the best value draft picks in Treliving’s managerial career, having gone from a sixth-round selection in 2015 to nearly-500 games in the NHL a decade later. That connection could make a move to the Toronto Maple Leafs – who are desperately in need of a scoring punch down their left-wing side – a natural next step. If not the Leafs, Mangiapane could also move to Seattle, who already have a track record of supporting his undersized, shoot-first style.
Mangiapane carried a lofty, $5.8MM cap hit through the last three years on his last deal. That mark is likely far north of what he’s set to earn this summer, but it could be enough to pull his price tag higher than expected – especially if a bidding war begins. Mangiapane’s final deal will be interesting to follow, and could precede the role he earns in his next team’s top-nine.
Leafs can have him, Kraken need a bigger fish.
Sweater
He could be a good add to the Leafs, he had 1 year where he was almost a goal per game through the first like 30 games a few years ago in Calgary, maybe he can have similar luck on a line with Matthews or Nylander, the effect of playing with those guys can elevate anyones numbers and make maybe 2 signings replace Marner’s 109 points, though there is no real replacement available they can still spread/split those numbers down the lineup
Mangiapane is way more productive than overpaid Max Domi.
Treliving has enough 3rd, And 4th liners. The roster is a dumpster fire right now.
After adding Marchment the Kraken are seriously overloaded on the left side. The idea that they would also be in on Mangipane? Give me a break. They already have Schwartz, McCann, Marchment, Tolvanen and Kartye… and they’re going to add someone like Mangipane.
Obviously someone is trying to create a market and it’s not the least bit surprising the half-assed hockey media is willing to help. Seriously, I know none of you folks actually pay attention to Seattle… but just maybe take a second to see if what you’re “reporting” isn’t total nonsense.
I think Mangiapane definitely has a bounceback season in him. He was a volume shooter in 21-22 and 22-23 and played with strong centers like Backlund and Kadri. He had a measly 95 shots in 81 games this past year and was tasked with far more d-zone faceoffs.
If Tavares re-signs on a team friendly deal he should get a shot at 2LW. Or if it’s Seattle, a natural playmaker like Stephenson could be a fit.
How many wingers does Seattle need?
Mangipane to Seattle makes absolutely no sense. I’d guess someone at Roy Sports Group is trying to push up the price in Toronto and since Seattle has been active they seemed like a good choice. Unfortunately for them, the fit no longer applies.
More likely Vancouver than Seattle…