As the Olympic Break brings the NHL roster freeze into effect, the Edmonton Oilers face a critical juncture needing adjustments to sustain their playoff run. Despite holding a playoff position, their recent performances have been underwhelming, highlighting concerns about the team’s depth scoring, especially within their bottom-six forwards. Amid this context, speculation has arisen regarding a possible trade between the Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens involving Andrew Mangiapane and Patrik Laine.
Nick Kypreos, a respected hockey analyst, recently noted on his trade board that both Edmonton and Montreal might explore swapping these two players, each currently struggling to make an impact on their respective teams. This idea revolves around giving both players a fresh start and potentially revitalizing their seasons by changing teams.
There is interest in Laine because he’ll be coming on an expiring contract. He would be a freebie with upside, whether for a playoff team hoping to find a cheap-to-acquire scorer, or for a non-playoff team like Calgary to get a free look at him before considering him long-term,
Kypreos stated. He added,
Edmonton’s Andrew Mangiapane is also on my list, and it makes me wonder if a Montreal-Edmonton match might be found here.
Player Performance and Current Challenges
Patrik Laine, 27, has seen limited action this season due to injury, appearing in only five games with one assist since October 16th. Last season, Laine managed a respectable 20 goals and 13 assists across 52 games, indicating a return to his scoring form before his recent setbacks. Meanwhile, Andrew Mangiapane, 29, has logged 12 points this season with six goals and six assists in 49 games for Edmonton. Despite expectations following his offseason signing, Mangiapane has struggled to find a consistent role within the Oilers’ lineup, leading to rumors that a trade before the 2026 deadline could be imminent.
Financial Obstacles Hindering a Possible Exchange
While the notion of exchanging two underperforming players seems reasonable, financial considerations present significant roadblocks for both franchises. The Canadiens would need to retain 50% of Laine’s $8.7 million salary to reduce his cap hit to $4.35 million, yet even this arrangement poses challenges. For Edmonton, absorbing Laine’s contract, despite potential benefits on the power play, is problematic given the team’s urgent need to bolster right-shot defensive options and top-six forwards without inflating their salary commitments.
Additionally, making room for Laine on Edmonton’s roster would likely require moving Mattias Janmark, but acquiring Laine in this way would severely limit Edmonton’s flexibility in pursuing other critical trades. On the flip side, while Montreal might find a better fit for Mangiapane’s playing style, swapping him for Laine does not substantially improve their cap situation or roster balance.
Laine’s strength lies in his power-play contributions, yet Edmonton’s first power-play unit has no clear role for him. His likely ice time on special teams would be minimal, reducing the potential offensive boost the Oilers might have hoped to gain.
Outlook on the Prospects of a Trade Between the Teams
Although both Andrew Mangiapane and Patrik Laine could possibly benefit from a change in scenery, the alignment between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens does not currently support a mutually advantageous trade. Edmonton may consider targeting Laine once he becomes a free agent in the offseason, allowing them to evaluate his fit without the financial constraints of a midseason acquisition. However, given the Oilers’ aspirations to build a roster capable of deep playoff success, Laine’s current contract and injury history make him a less viable piece to add at this time.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Oilers are expected to make adjustments, but any moves will need to address their immediate roster needs and salary cap structure carefully. Both teams remain attentive to potential opportunities, but this particular swap appears unlikely to materialize in the near term.
