The Ottawa Senators maybe searching for a forward in the coming weeks. The reason is because of the recent announcement that Senators left winger David Perron of Sherbrooke, Quebec would miss five to seven months after recently undergoing sports hernia surgery according to Brennan McClain of Pro Hockey Rumors.
How did Perron get hurt?
According to Michael Whitaker of heavy.com, Perron has been experiencing some pain for quite sometime before it was decided that surgery would be the best option. Perron last played 12 minutes and 33 seconds of ice time on Tuesday in a 4-1 Senators win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Who could fit into Perron’s place?
The answer is Edmonton Oilers left winger Andrew Mangiapane of Toronto, Ontario. On New Year’s Day, we discussed the possibility of Mangiapane being on the trading block in Edmonton. The reason is because Mangiapane was heavily underachieving. At the time, he was a -17. Mangiapane is now -18 and only has one point in the entire month of January, and three points since the beginning of December. A change of scenery could fit for Mangiapane, with the possibility he could return to his home province of Ontario.
Mangiapane’s 2025-26 statistics
Mangiapane has six goals and six assists for 12 points in 46 games. He has 34 penalty minutes, one game-winning goal, 43 shots on goal, two faceoff wins, 17 blocked shots, 46 hits, seven takeaways and 31 giveaways.
Why has it not worked for Mangiapane in Edmonton?
The Oilers were hoping Mangiapane would see minutes among the top-six, but it has simply not worked out. It just shows how difficult and challenging it is for an Oiler to crack the top six. Right now the Oilers have five exceptional forwards in Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Vasily Podkolzin, but have struggled to find that exceptional sixth forward that would complete the Oilers top two lines. What a trade with Ottawa would be is a salary dump. Mangiapane is making $3.6 million this season and next season, and trading Mangiapane would give the Oilers an opportunity to acquire a different forward.
David Perron in 2025-26
Perron has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 49 games. He is a +2 with 22 penalty minutes, eight power-play points, one game-winning goal, 69 shots on goal, three faceoff wins, 18 blocked shots, 64 hits, nine takeaways and 30 giveaways. Perron’s game-winner came on December 20 in a 6-4 Senators win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
