Calgary Flames trade Andrew Mangiapane to the Washington Capitals for 2025 second-round pick

Moments after the NHL’s awards show ended, well, there was a trade to announce. The Calgary Flames traded forward Andrew Mangiapane to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick (originally Colorado’s).

“Today’s trade provides us with an increase in valuable draft capital and we have continued to emphasize the importance of how upcoming drafts will influence the future of our franchise,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy in a statement. “Additionally, this move affords us with more salary cap and roster flexibility to make decisions after July 1^st.”

Mangiapane, 28, was a sixth-round pick by the Flames way back in 2015, selected in his second year of draft eligibility. Mangiapane established himself as a really high-tempo player that brought energy to the forecheck, but his offensive output was a bit inconsistent. He popped off for 35 goals in 2021-22, but he potted 31 in the next two seasons combined.

He was making $5.8 million against the salary cap in a deal signed right after his 35-goal campaign and he seemed to have priced himself out of the Flames’ long-term plans. With the likes of Jakob Pelletier, Sam Honzek, William Strömgren, Adam Klapka and Matt Coronato all waiting in the wings for an NHL opportunity… well, moving Mangiapane makes a lot of sense. He leaves Calgary after posting 215 points over 417 games with the club.

The 2025 second-rounder acquired by the Flames was originally Colorado’s, which Washington acquired in March 2023 in exchange for Lars Eller. Adding that pick gives the Flames eight picks in the 2025 NHL Draft – including likely four in the first two rounds.

With Mangiapane’s departure, the Flames’ current projected cap hit – looking at established NHLers on one-ways plus Connor Zary – is $58.225 million, which leaves them with about $29.775 million in available cap space to work with. That’s an incredible amount of cap, roster and draft pick flexibility moving forward.