On Tuesday afternoon Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving took care of a bit of housekeeping signing prospect Andrew Mangiapane to a three-year entry-level contract.
After Mangiapane was undeservedly passed over in 2014 he responded by ripping it up with the Barrie Colts in 2014-15 and he was rewarded for his efforts as the Flames took a shot on him in the 6th round.
It's still early but Mangiapane is making Treliving look smart for giving him a chance as Mangiapane just put the finishing touches on his second 100+ point season in as many years.
The knock on Mangiapane is his size - he's listed as 5'10, 180 and that's probably generous - but some guy named Johnny Gaudreau exists and, well, who says lightning can't strike twice?
Again, Mangiapane's size doesn't work in his favor but that hasn't stopped him from putting up 210 points in his last 127 games (1.63 points per game) while playing huge minutes on a Colts team that has finished top-2 in the Eastern Conference in consecutive years.
One thing that should help Mangiapane translate some of his scoring to the pros is that, despite his size, he isn't afraid to go to the net, work in the corners or get his nose dirty. He's not a perimeter player - his shot isn't hard enough to beat professional goalies from a long distance - and reminds me a lot of Gaudreau in that regard (Gaudreau's average shot distance is closer to the net than, for example).
I'm not saying Mangiapane is the next Gaudreau - those are lofty expectations for a top-10 pick let alone a 6th rounder - but he is coming along nicely and could very well turn into a good NHL player in a few years time.
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