A few weeks ago on an HNIC Saturday Headlines segment, Elliott Friedman tossed around the idea and rumour that the Edmonton Oilers were kicking tires on Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick, forwards for the Anaheim Ducks.
Well, here today is that same Elliotte Friedman confirming that those two will be joining the Edmonton Oilers.
The final details of this trade include a seventh round draft pick and the rights to reserve goaltender Ty Taylor headed back to Edmonton as well.
Adam Henrique is the focal point of this deal
Henrique, originally drafted back in 2008 by the New Jersey Devils, has been a very reliable and versatile forward during his career thus far.
He is a remarkably consistent 40-point scorer and fit to play in nearly any situation.
The Ducks currently use him in a penalty killing role as well, an area the Oilers had struggled until recently. However, it remains to be seen how a penalty killer from a team ranked lower than the Oilers would help Edmonton while shorthanded.
Sam Carrick as a depth and physical presence
One of the other needs the Oilers had been pursuing was a fourth line centre. Carrick fills that need. Although he may not be an elite-level depth option, he does accomplish some things the team needs quite well.
Carrick is an agitator, a pest, and a physical player. Edmonton’s bottom line has been lacking this recently and it is an area of need to improve on heading into playoffs.
He is also utilized on Anaheim’s penalty kill, but there is some hesitancy on how it improves Edmonton’s for the same reason as Henrique.
But what Carrick also accomplishes is giving the team more options and more depth. Importantly, depth with NHL-calibre players to cycle in during what is destined to be a gruelling playoff run.
Henrique and Carrick in the Oilers lineup?
At first glance, it would be ideal for these two to become the bottom two centres. Henrique on the third line to give some much-needed scoring depth and Carrick on the fourth for an added physical presence.
But importantly with Henrique, he can play wing quite well and is absolutely going to get a shot in the top six to play alongside McDavid or Draisaitl. He is the type of two-way forward that would complement Draisaitl’s second line extremely well.
What do you think about this trade? Drop a comment down below!
Sounds like we are paying a lot more for Henrique than Florida paid for Tarasenko