The Oilers have made a couple of additions up front today with the signings of Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner while bringing back veteran wingers Connor Brown and Corey Perry as well. It appears they have one more move to make at forward as TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reports that center Adam Henrique is expected to return to Edmonton. The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta adds that the veteran will get a two-year deal, with Rishaug confirming a $3MM cap hit ($6MM total value).
A new deal for Henrique certainly makes the first-round pick Edmonton gave up for him at the trade deadline all the more worth it. After being acquired from the Ducks, the 34-year-old put up decent secondary scoring numbers but was a tad underwhelming, producing nine points in 22 games. That’s a 34-point pace over an 82-game season, less than he scored in only 60 games with Anaheim prior to the trade.
Henrique struggled with injuries in the playoffs, missing a few contests in Edmonton’s run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, but elevated his game when it mattered. He averaged important third-line minutes, logging 14:06 per game, and contributed four goals and three assists in 17 games with a +3 rating. Two of his goals were game-winners.
Now, despite having limited cap space, Edmonton’s already improved their forward group from the one that just got them within one goal of a championship. It’s fair to assume one player may be moved out, though. A $3MM cap hit for Henrique puts Edmonton roughly $2.5MM over the $88MM salary cap next season. Whether a cap-clearing trade comes via a forward or defenseman remains to be seen.
If Henrique produces closer to the 50-point pace he’d logged the past few years with the Ducks, even for just the first half of this new deal, it’s a bargain contract for Oilers acting GM Jeff Jackson. It’s clear the Oilers have no intention of doing anything but running it back next season with Leon Draisaitl entering the final year of his contract and Connor McDavid having only two years left on his deal.
With Arvidsson’s and Skinner’s additions (and Jackson saying publicly he expects them in the top six), Henrique will slot into a third-line role for the Oil next season, likely on Ryan McLeod’s wing.
Wings need to go after Draisaitl, contingent upon him signing an extension. I think they have the trade capital and the willingness to part with them for some star power. I wonder if he and Seider are buddies?
There’s been nothing substantial to suggest Draisaitl is available. Why would Edmonton move him when they’re in win now mode and were just one game from winning the Cup?
They’re over on cap, lack a deep pipeline, and may be wary of giving him a massive extension given the money being spent for McDavid & Nurse and others already. They would definitely be selling high, and may be better off obtaining a truckload of assets instead of letting him walk in a year for nothing. He’d fetch more player capital now than at the deadline I’d imagine, and I’d also imagine EDM would prefer players closer to contributing at the NHL level than draft picks who may or may not convey when they’re seasoned in 3-5 years. If (goalie) Skinner has a less than stellar year, injuries happen, vets fall off a step, it may be tough to return to the finals as playoff hockey can be fickle.
If you’re EDM & convinced he stays/you’re open to signing him for massive money, that’s not even a question. I’m not convinced of either of those things, personally, and I think DET has the pieces to cover that cost without mortgaging the entirety of their own future.
Guys like Henrique would serve to supplement the hole left by Draisaitl while also offering more facets to their lineup with him still in EDM.
I could be entirely wrong, and Draisaitl may have a standing, crazy-high offer to be signed anytime before camp, that he has in a fancy box on his dining room table for his own chortling pleasure. If he was to be moved though, it wouldn’t be converse to continuing to make runs at the Cup if the right pieces returned.
If I were a betting man, I would bet heavily that he’s still in an Edmonton sweater when next season opens, but hey, maybe you’re right. I just don’t think you move a top 10 player solely because of cap issues; I think you sell off less important, highly-paid pieces, which they have a few of.
I’d definitely (& sadly) agree that it’s unlikely he moves at all before the season. Even if internally they’re doubtful of locking him up, they could play it like Carolina did w/ Pesce/Teravainen and just go for it and hope for the best. IF he were to be dealt, I think the Wings would/SHOULD be in the thick of it.
…Just dreaming my dream, especially given the moves made by Detroit so far. Hard to imagine a player close to that caliber who could reasonably be traded before the season without a player’s demand or scandal. Zegras is the biggest name that continues to swirl, and he’s no Draisaitl.
Henrique is solid though, and gives Edmonton lots of flexibility/can fill a few different roles as needed.
It’s understandable, and things can swing so quickly in the sports world that you just never really know!
Damnit, he’s exactly what the Leafs need.
I don’t see them letting him walk for nothing; whoever the next GM is he’s got an interesting juggling act to perform over the next seven months or so…