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With absolutely nothing happening in the hockey world right now, and for the foreseeable future, I’ve decided to take the plunge and write player profiles for each member of the Calgary Flames.
As was the case when I did them last summer, we’ll be looking at the season they just put together and expectations moving forward.
I’ve written up six players thus far, with Derek Ryan being the most recent.
Today we’re going with the bread man, Andrew Mangiapane.
Counting stats: 68 games played, 32 points (17 goals, 15 assists), 13:43 average time on ice
5v5 underlyings: 2.02 points/60, +3.79 CF% Rel, +7.44 GF% Rel, +4.23 xGF% Rel, 100.3 PDO
2019-20 review: Prior to the season I suggested the Flames give Andrew Mangiapane an extended look in the top-6. The coaching staff, for the most part, afforded Mangiapane that opportunity and he certainly made the most of it.
In terms of raw outputs, Mangiapane produced at a 20-goal, ~39-point pace over a full season. Those totals are rock solid for a guy playing 13:43 per night, especially given cushy power play time wasn’t included.
Mangiapane did almost all of his damage (29 of 32 points) at 5v5, where he was extremely efficient. He scored 1.04 goals per 60, which is 1st line production. He averaged 2.02 points per 60, which led the Flames and, again, was 1st line production.
He was the team’s most efficient point producer despite playing in his first full season and, largely, skating on the shutdown line facing top competition.
Mangiapane wasn’t an empty calorie point producer either. His on-ice impacts were remarkably strong. The Flames controlled at least 3.79% more of the shot attempts, chances, expected goals, and goals with Mangiapane on the ice as opposed to without him.
As if all of this isn’t enough, Mangiapane led the Flames in scoring chances per minute and drew penalties at a higher rate than all regulars on the roster beyond Matthew Tkachuk.
He’s going to get a healthy raise this off-season – even as a RFA with little leverage – and rightfully so.
Fun fact(s): Mangiapane scored more goals per 60 minutes of 5v5 play than superstars like Nathan MacKinnon, Patrick Kane, and Jack Eichel.
2020-21 outlook: Mangiapane is headed for a bigger role next season. He should be, anyway. I imagine he’ll be used on the same line but with a few extra shifts; his regular linemates averaged ~1:20 more per game at even-strength. That needs to change.
I also like to think he’ll become a fixture on the 2nd power play unit. He wins a ton of extra possessions for the Flames with his relentless hustle on the forecheck and along the walls. That ability, coupled with his hands and offensive acumen in tight, would surely make him more successful on the man advantage than many of the regulars the Flames trotted out this season.
With proper usage, and an 82-game schedule, I think we could be looking at a ~25 goal, 45-50 point player as soon as next season.
There’s no reason he shouldn’t get that opportunity with how shallow the Flames are up front.
numbers via naturalstattrick.com and hockey-reference.com
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2020-21 player profile: Noah Hanifin
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Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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