Following months of trade speculation for underperforming forward Andrew Mangiapane, the Edmonton Oilers have placed him and defenceman Alec Regula on waivers, clearing salary cap space before the NHL trade deadline on March 6. Mangiapane has struggled since signing with Edmonton last summer, signaling further adjustments in the team's Stanley Cup push.
On Sunday, March 1, 2026, the Edmonton Oilers announced that they had placed forward Andrew Mangiapane and defenceman Alec Regula on waivers. This comes days before the NHL trade deadline on Friday, March 6, and builds on earlier reports from January of trade interest from teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs as the Oilers seek to free up cap space for acquisitions.
Mangiapane, a 29-year-old Toronto native, signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract (AAV $3.6 million) with Edmonton on July 1, 2025, to provide depth behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, in 52 games this season, he has just seven goals and seven assists (14 points) with a -19 plus/minus—his career worst—and multiple healthy scratches. Now in his ninth NHL season (drafted 166th overall by Calgary in 2015), Mangiapane has 257 points (130G, 127A) over 550 games with the Flames, Capitals, and Oilers, including three 20-goal seasons and a 35-goal high in 2021-22.
Regula, a 25-year-old defenceman, joined Edmonton after being claimed off waivers from the Boston Bruins in December 2024. In 29 games, he has three assists and a -16 rating. He recently returned from a conditioning loan with AHL Bakersfield Condors (Feb. 18 recall).
The waivers free an estimated $1.7 million in cap space, though a trade might yield more given Mangiapane's remaining term. Similar moves include the Blues waiving Robby Fabbri, Panthers waiving Luke Kunin, and Canucks waiving Guillaume Brisebois. More changes may follow as Edmonton bolsters for a Cup run.
