Edmonton Oilers Re-sign Adam Henrique to 2-year deal – Hockey Writers – Oilers Transactions

The Edmonton Oilers re-signed 34-year-old Adam Henrique to a two-year contract worth $3 million per season via Elliotte Friedman. A 14-season NHL veteran with three different teams including the Oilers in 2023-24, the veteran forward is a great model of consistency.

Even though Henrique has gotten a little older, he still plays like he's at his best—he scored 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points in 82 games last season. What can he offer now?

Henrique Can Be A Great Middle Six Player

Ironically, Henrique has made a better attacking contribution now that he is in his 30s than before. From the 2021-22 season through his 2023-24 campaign with the Anaheim Ducks, he has 59 goals and 63 assists for 122 points in 180 contests—a 56-point pace through 82 games even though his club is still under construction re. Averaging 17:44 of ice time during that time, he had a lot to rely on.

Once he was traded to the Oilers at the 2023-24 trade deadline, that's when his offensive numbers began to decline as he took on a smaller role. Anyway, the point here is that he can fill in the middle of the lineup, but he can be on the second line if needed. He can play on the wing as well as in the middle, which makes him versatile.

Related: 2024 Free Agency Tracker

Henrique has two upsides, too, as he was once one of the best defensive players in the game. He's relied on his attacking prowess lately, but when asked to hunt down the floor and limit opportunities for opposing lines, he can do it. Assuming he gets about 15 to 16 minutes of average ice time and plays a full slate, he could be a 45-point player in 2024-25 and beyond.

Compatible with Edmonton

The Oilers brought in Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson in free agency to potentially fill out their second line, so Henrique will likely be their third line center for the next two seasons. He was decent if not great in Edmonton, so bringing him back makes sense. Losing in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers should have what it takes to bounce back.

It seems like the Oilers are done making moves for the season, as they've already done a lot of work and don't have room to cover for another splash. On paper, they're arguably much better than they were last season—they should be a Stanley Cup favorite.