Grading the Andrew Mangiapane trade for the Calgary Flames

The 2024 NHL Draft is on the horizon for the Calgary Flames, and after moving out some big names in recent times, they've dropped another surprise deal that came out of absolutely nowhere. The deal sent Andrew Mangiapane to the Washington Capitals with no retention necessary, and in return for him, the team landed a very valuable 2025 second-round pick.

On the surface, this is a great deal for both parties, but for the Flames, this accomplished several things. First off was getting yet another pick in the top two rounds, giving them 11 in the first two rounds between 2024 and 2026, and although the pick may not be high, in addition to their own, it gives them the chance to swing big on a talented prospect.

On top of that, the team freed up $5.8 million of cap space without retaining anything, giving them upwards of $29 million heading into free agency this weekend. While Mangiapane had just one year left on his deal, he made it clear that he wasn't going to re-sign next summer, so instead of waiting until the trade deadline, Craig Conroy made a huge move, opening up a big roster spot ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Mangiapane was a sixth round pick of the Flames back in the 2015 NHL Draft, and would ultimately go on to play 417 NHL games, tallying 109 goals and 215 points over that time, and after flipping him for a second, it's safe to say that the team got incredible value out of that selection. After all that time, Mangiapane will be remembered as a fantastic part of the Flames community, as well as scoring one of the most memorable goals in modern Flames history.

Ultimately, it was a move that needed to happen, and given what the team got in return for a 40-point player making $5.8 million a year, it can't be seen as anything but a win for Craig Conroy and this front office.

Grade: A-