As the Olympics move along, the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings are both hoping to come out of the break and find a way to string together some wins and push for a playoff spot. The Oilers are safely near the top of the Pacific Division, but the Kings are on the outside looking in. Right before the roster freeze went into effect, the Kings pulled off a blockbuster trade, acquiring star Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers, proving they still believe they can make a deep playoff run this season.
Related: Oilers News & Rumours: Mangiapane, Olympics, & Potential Coffey Return
Both teams will be active as the 2026 Trade Deadline approaches, with both teams putting the finishing touches on their roster as they try to make a push for a Stanley Cup. The Oilers haven’t won a championship since 1990, while the Kings haven’t won one since 2014.
In recent days, analysts and fans have wondered if the two teams would consider swapping players who are both in need of a fresh start. Kings’ Warren Foegele, who used to play with the Oilers, and Oilers’ Andrew Mangiapane, could be swapped in a one-for-one deal.
Oilers fans have been hoping that the Oilers could dump Mangiapane’s contract in hopes of adding some cap space to target some other players, but it seems as though the interest in him around the league is minimal. This idea only comes to fruition if both teams choose to pivot to a swap, rather than looking for cap space, but it could benefit both teams.
Oilers Reunite With Foegele, Both Teams Receive Better Fits
Foegele played with the Oilers between the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons, after he was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Ethan Bear. His speed, physicality, and defensive IQ helped him become a staple in the Oilers’ middle-six forward group before he chose to test free agency and joined the Kings.
Mangiapane signed with the Oilers in the offseason, and fans were excited to see if he would be able to bounce back and find his previous, offensive-dominant form. His two-way game has always been strong, and he has commonly been referred to as a consistent player. Unfortunately, both Foegele and Mangiapane seem to be on the outside looking in of their respective teams’ lineups, and could benefit from a change of scenery.
Neither team would be making much of a change in terms of cap space, considering Mangiapane only makes $100,000 more annually than Foegele. Mangiapane would have a better path to earning a shot at top-six ice time with the Kings, while Foegele likely steps right back into the Oilers’ middle-six forward group.
On top of that, Foegele has proven to be effective with the Oilers anywhere in their lineup, so him moving up to play alongside Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid, or moving down to help elevate someone like Trent Frederic, gives the Oilers more flexibility with their lineup. Foegele is also a strong penalty killer, so adding him will help elevate that as well.
The Kings may also choose to flip Mangiapane elsewhere if he doesn’t fit right away, and there will certainly be teams willing to buy low. They may not be able to get much in return for him, but clearing the cap space, if he doesn’t seem like a good fit, wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Time will tell if either player gets moved, or if this move comes to fruition, but it wouldn’t be surprising if this is something both teams considered coming out of the break.
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