The Anaheim Ducks are selling big time now. They have traded Adam Henrique to the Edmonton Oilers along with Sam Carrick and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a first-round pick and a conditional 5th.
The Anaheim Ducks are retaining 50 percent of Henrique's cap hit for the remainder of this season. This is a good move that will help both teams get what they need.
The Oilers believe that they can win the Stanley Cup. Anaheim is one of the worst teams in the league but adding another first-round pick will help them continue building what is the start of a nice core.
Henrique is a very good two-way forward and has been for a long time. He started his career with the New Jersey Devils and then was traded to the Ducks in 2017.
The Edmonton Oilers made a trade with the Anaheim Ducks for Adam Henrqiue
With Edmonton, there are a lot of spots that Henrqiue could play. If they want to use him as a center, the option is there. If they want to use him as a winger, he can do that too.
Regardless of where they put him, he is going to score goals and make plays while being a solid defender. With stars on the team like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins amongst others, Henrique could find a new level to his game.
In 2023-24, Henrique has 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in 60 games played. He isn't a superstar or anything like that but he is a very good middle-six forward.
The Oilers needed another guy like that and they showed how much they wanted to get the deal done by what they gave up. It is a hefty price but future draft picks aren't important to this organization right now. They need to focus on winning the Stanley Cup while they have Connor McDavid in his prime. Henrique could help with that.