The Chicago Blackhawks made several moves near the NHL trade deadline as they looked to adjust their roster for the final stretch of the season. One of those moves brought in a winger who needed a fresh start after a difficult run with his previous team.
Andrew Mangiapane arrived with the chance to reset his season and find a role in Chicago’s lineup. Within days of joining the team, he has started to make early contributions.
Did the Blackhawks Give Andrew Mangiapane the Reset He Needed?
Mangiapane joined the Chicago Blackhawks after a trade with the Edmonton Oilers that was completed on March 4. As part of the deal, the Blackhawks agreed to retain 50 percent of Jason Dickinson’s salary cap hit when he was moved to Edmonton.
The move gave Mangiapane a fresh lease of life after a difficult season in Edmonton. He played 52 games with the Oilers and recorded seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. His role changed during the season, even though he spent some time playing with Connor McDavid.
Mangiapane made his debut for the Blackhawks on Friday against the Vancouver Canucks. Chicago lost that game 6-3, but the winger stepped directly into the lineup and began working into the team’s forward group. He has been used on the third line and has also seen time on the second power-play unit.
However, his first point with Chicago arrived two games later. On Monday, the Blackhawks faced the Utah Mammoth, and Mangiapane scored his first goal with the team in the opening period.
The goal came at 13:46 of the first period. Ryan Donato fired a shot toward the crease from the right face-off circle, and the puck went into the net after deflecting off Mangiapane’s body. Donato and Ilya Mikheyev received assists on the play as the goal tied the game at 1-1.
Chicago went on to win the game 3-2 in overtime, which ended a three-game losing streak. The result provided a positive moment for a team that has struggled to maintain results through much of the season.
Mangiapane spoke to reporters earlier after joining Chicago and explained how the change felt to him. “It was a little tough sledding there in Edmonton,” he said. He also made it clear that he welcomed the move and the chance to begin again.
“I’m happy to get out and have a nice restart and be with a good organization here.”
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The Blackhawks currently hold a 24-29-11 record with 59 points and sit bottom of the Central Division. The team had a strong start early in the season but has found it difficult to maintain results over the past several months.
Chicago hopes players added near the deadline can help improve depth in the forward group. In particular, Mangiapane’s ability to play in different situations gives the coaching staff another option in the lineup.
