EDMONTON – “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try, sometimes, well, you get what you need.”
The Edmonton Oilers may or may not be listening to classic Rolling Stones songs in their spare time – now that they have a lot of it.
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The team didn’t get what they wanted (a Stanley Cup), but they did get what they needed: more playoff experience that will make them wiser and hungrier for the game’s ultimate prize.
In the case of newly acquired Andrew Mangiapane, they have a player they both wanted and need. The Oilers signed Mangiapane to a two-year contract for $3.6 million per season. He will be an upgrade to Connor Brown, who signed with the New Jersey Devils.
Here are a few reasons why Mangiapane is a better fit for the Oilers and why he’s exactly what they need in their top six.
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Mangiapane Is A Better Goal Scorer Than Connor Brown
Mangiapane and Brown did not play top-six minutes last season. Both forwards averaged between 13 and 14 minutes per game while playing either 81 or 82 games, respectively.
Brown finished the year with 13 goals, Mangiapane with 14. However, throughout their careers, Mangiapane has scored at a much higher rate than Brown.
In 600 career games, Brown has 107 goals. In 498 games, Mangiapane has scored 123 goals.
Mangiapane Is A Better Overall Player
Evolving Hockey is a valuable resource for evaluating whether certain players contribute more to a team's improvement than others. In the case of Mangiapane versus Brown, Mangiapane is a better overall player than Brown.
Over the last three seasons, Mangiapane has been better at generating scoring chances than Brown. Defensively, both players have been above average in expected goals against per 60 minutes and Corsi against per 60.
Mangiapane has been a more effective offensive player than Brown throughout his career. Mangiapane is on par defensively with Brown, making him a clear upgrade on Brown – and precisely what the Oilers need.
Mangiapane is both what they want and exactly what they need.
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