Edmonton Oilers placing two players on waivers and could lose them for nothing
The Edmonton Oilers appear to be looking for ways to open up cap space before this week’s NHL trade deadline.
After a disappointing return from the Olympic break, the Oilers have opted to place two players on waivers. The team announced on Sunday afternoon that both forward Andrew Mangiapane and defenceman Alec Regula have been placed on waivers, allowing every other NHL team a chance to pick them up for free.
Trade rumours have circled around Mangiapane for a few months now as his struggles continue with the Oilers, with just 14 points this season, while Regula has failed to take that next step as an NHL defenceman.
The #Oilers have placed defenceman Alec Regula & forward Andrew Mangiapane on waivers.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 1, 2026
Though losing Mangiapane for nothing may appear to be a loss for the Oilers, it might actually benefit the team as the deadline approaches. It’s clear that the relationship between the player and team has strained this season, and Edmonton is in dire need to open up cap space with the deadline approaching.
If a team claims Mangiapane off waivers on Monday, that would take his $3.6 million cap hit off of the Oilers’ books free of cost. That will be valuable space that GM Stan Bowman can utilize before Friday’s trade deadline.
In Regula’s case, it’s likely that the Oilers brass is hoping to sneak the 25-year-old through waivers. He will provide a little bit of cap relief by being sent to the AHL, with his $775,000 cap hit being buried, but he could be of use for the team moving forward.
Regula would be a good call-up option for the Oilers to have down the stretch, though his small cap hit may make him an attractive waiver claim for teams across the league.
These moves come as the Oilers may be considering placing forward Mattias Janmark on LTIR after sustaining a long-term injury last week. 880 CHED’s Bob Stauffer said that placing these two players on waivers could impact that.
He also mentioned that the team could be calling up forwards Josh Samanski and Ike Howard from the AHL soon.
Theoretically waiving Andrew Mangiapane and Alec Regula could end up being tied to an LTI (Mattias Janmark) move.
The @EdmontonOilers could recall Josh Samanski and Isaac Howard and “capture” their bonuses in the LTI Capture. https://t.co/AoLd2LmPKl— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) March 1, 2026
These moves could have a big impact on what Bowman is able to do with this struggling Oilers roster at the trade deadline. We will have to wait until Monday afternoon to see how it all shakes out.