The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the teams chasing Andrew Mangiapane in free agency, eyeing the Bolton native as a potential top-six winger to help fill the void left by Mitch Marner. Instead, the 28-year-old forward signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers, valued at $3.6 million per year.
Maple Leafs Lose Out on Andrew Mangiapane as Oilers Seal Deal
Despite being in serious contention and reportedly putting more money on the table, the Leafs came up short. According to insiders like David Pagnotta and TSN’s Chris Johnston, Toronto made a strong push but couldn’t close.
“They [TOR] definitely had interest, you know, and there were some teams yesterday, I know, that thought he was actually going to TOR. But you know, ultimately, obviously, EDM managed to land him,” Chris Johnston said on OverDrive.
Chris Johnston on Overdrive re: Andrew Mangiapane:
“They [TOR] definitely had interest, you know, and there were some teams yesterday, I know, that thought he was actually going to TOR. But you know, ultimately, obviously, EDM managed to land him.”
— Joseph Zita (@josephdzita) July 3, 2025
The issue, it seems, wasn’t about dollars. As per Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, Mangiapane may have been reluctant to deal with the intense media attention and pressure that often comes with playing in one’s hometown.
“[Andrew] Mangiapane is a Toronto kid, last I heard was he was maybe a little concerned about playing in this market as a local… It’s not for everybody,” Kypreos shared.
“[Andrew] Mangiapane is a Toronto kid, last I heard was he was maybe a little concerned about playing in this market as a local… It’s not for everybody.”@RealKyper, @jtbourne & @SamAMcKee discuss players’ perceptions of the Toronto market in free agency.#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/DvJyu1QZtt
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) July 3, 2025
Toronto’s front office now has more work to do. With Marner gone and their top target off the board, the Leafs are weighing both trade and free-agent possibilities. Mangiapane would have been a logical fit beside Auston Matthews. His gritty game, forecheck, and versatility make him the kind of player who complements a high-skill core.
While the Oilers didn’t offer the most lucrative package, their status as a Cup contender and the opportunity to play alongside elite talent reportedly played a big part in Mangiapane’s decision. For a player familiar with the Alberta market from his days in Calgary, Edmonton presented less off-ice pressure and more on-ice opportunity.
Maple Leafs Continue Roster Hunt After Forward Snub
The Maple Leafs aren’t without options. They added Matias Maccelli in a recent deal and locked in young winger Matthew Knies. But neither move fills the Marner-sized gap on the right wing. That has Toronto keeping tabs on players like Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell in Pittsburgh, with speculation that Kyle Dubas’ familiarity with Toronto’s system could help grease the wheels for a deal.
Viktor Olofsson’s name is also in circulation. The veteran winger is available in free agency and has posted multiple 20-goal seasons. While not a replacement for Marner’s elite production, Olofsson offers affordable scoring depth, something Toronto needs as it manages cap space.
Missing out on Mangiapane, especially to a fellow Canadian team, wasn’t ideal for the Maple Leafs. But the front office still has time to pivot. If they hope to stay competitive in a shifting Atlantic Division, they’ll need to land another impact forward before opening night.