Former 35-Goal Scorer Linked to One Specific Canadian Team in Free Agency

NHL insider David Pagnotta has reported that Mangiapane, once a star on the Calgary Flames, where he put up a 35-goal, 55-point season in 2021-22, and most recently a member of the Washington Capitals, will be hitting the free agency market July 1st:

The Seattle Kraken have also been linked to Mangiapane, however, their recent acquisition of Joe Veleno from the Chicago Blackhawks suggests they may be looking for a different more complementary option now.

As for the Maple Leafs, it is simply a waiting game until Mitch Marner leaves, and the efforts to keep former captain John Tavares have been far from urgent; Pagnotta equally reported that the contract offered to Tavares by the Maple Leafs is a short-term deal worth less than $4M annually.

Adding a player with offensive tools like Mangiapane, likely at a very stomachable cap hit due to his recent underwhelming play, to fill the void of Marner and possibly Tavares makes a lot of sense for Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs; whether or not this is the route he takes, however, is yet to be seen.