Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
Yeah I think Mangiapane has certainly shown himself to be someone with high-end puck skills. He's a good finisher. He's also demonstrated an ability to succeed with a variety of different linemates — we've seen him thrive both with Garnet Hathaway and Matt Tkachuk — which suggests to me he's smart enough to adapt his play style to suit the strengths of the guys he's with.
He needs to continue playing with his pace and tenacity. Mangiapane's coaches have raved about his motor. He arrived in Latvia and Gallant trusted him immediately. Gallant is a very demanding coach who has a real appreciation for workmanlike, versatile players.
I don't think Mangiapane is a system player because he's been effective under three different coaches and while playing on a variety of different lines. With Ryan, Backlund, and Lindholm as his centres, we've seen the exact same very effective two-way forward.
He's also managed to avoid significant injury to this point. You have to be cautious about anyone's durability but Mangiapane isn't a guy who's one step away from being too slow for the game. How would he age? I'd posit he'll be just fine, but I don't have much to go on, there.
|
I personally think what we have is a mini- Brandon Gallagher on our hands.
Mini isn’t to say size wise, but play style, mentality, work ethic, skills, and crazy play driving. Gallagher is elite in that result, even better than what Mangiapane has done recently.
Like Gallagher, mangiapane doesn’t have jaw dropping puck skills, but he does finish plays, and has great 5v5 point totals.
But he is somewhat limited in ice time when you play such a max effort style doesn’t necessarily lend itself to playing top top minutes without expecting a decline in rate stats, nor is he likely to be a needle mover on the PP, but more a contributor on the right usage.
The exciting opportunity is because of Mangiapane’s usage, he hasn’t put up big time points, and like Gallagher, comps wise, the system is slow to compensate those players properly, and it was really the 3rd contract where Gallagher finally got paid.
The opportunity for me is to see how many years you can get mangiapane signed for under $5m aav
With league revenues low right, and impacts from the escrow issues causing a likely flat short term cap, I’m not worried about mangiapane becoming an 8m player on his next contract, which is the only reason you would commit to him for 6m aav right now (to save on the back end of the deal).
I think he’s a great candidate for 4 or 5 years at sub 5, then see where he’s at age 30... my guess he won’t be quite as impactful at that age as he most guys’ athletic primes are more like 22-28 these days. Flames have him at the perfect time to get the perfect deal.... then let someone else give him Gallagher’s 3rd contract (where will get paid $6.5m well into his 30s).
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk