We are two weeks away from the trade deadline and it is almost time for some levers to drop. As we know from reporters discussions over the last month, the Edmonton Oilers have been looking for a top-six winger along with a top-four defenceman. Something that has caught the eye of fans is what Darren Dreger said. Dreger said, on TSN Insider Trading, that yes the Oilers are searching for a top six-winger but they are also keeping an eye on Anaheim Ducks centre Adam Henrique. This is not really a huge surprise but why Henrique and not other bottom six forwards?
Versatility within the lineup
Henrique is having a great season so far as he has rattled off 16 goals and 20 assists playing on a terrible team. He’s on pace for another 20-goal season and 40+ points season. He has had six 20-goal seasons and one 30-goal season. Based off of this evidence, we know what he can bring offensively throughout the whole lineup. Henrique is a player who can play centre and the wing. He can play with top six forwards, bottom six forwards, and he brings physical play to the lineup as well.
But, the biggest and most important quality he brings to a team is his defensive play. This is a player who has been known to play the shutdown role in the playoffs against the oppositions star players and he has excelled at it. He is an excellent penalty killer who is great at faceoffs. In my opinion, he is the best option that is out there, even at his age, that is in the mold of Ryan O’Reilly. The Oilers have been looked for a player like this for a while and they may be able to get one in Henrique.
Salary, age, and trade value
Based on reports, it is believed that the Ducks are willing to retain around $2M of Henrique’s salary. He does make around $5.75M so this would benefit Edmonton who do not have much cap space. Henrique is also 34 years old so there is a chance his body has started to wear and tear. His foot speed is not as great as it was before, but it is not also not as bad as one may think. He can still keep up with top-six forwards and that can be proven with him still being on special teams and in the top six.
In terms of trade value, I do not think Anaheim is searching for a first-round pick in Henrique. It’s heavily rumoured that top-six forward Frank Vatrano will be going for a first rounder because he has term. Since the Ducks have shown some interest in Oilers top prospect Philip Broberg, I think a trade proposal of this calibre may work:
From Oilers : Warren Foegele, Philip Broberg, conditional fourth-round pick of 2024 or 2025 (if Oilers make the Cup Final)
For
From Ducks: Adam Henrique ($2M retained in salary)
Some Oiler fans will not like this proposal but it is also the trade deadline. Therefore, we will see trades being made by buyers that will be considered overpay because the market is not so strong this season.
Since the Oilers will most likely play the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round, they need a very strong bottom six. I believe Henrique will be the strongest asset available out there for their top nine. His versatility would help a lot in the playoffs.
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