The Edmonton Oilers have been capable of retain Adam Henrique this summer season on a two-year extension after he was acquired on the 2024 commerce deadline together with Sam Carrick, who selected to hitch the New York Rangers this summer season. With a $3 million common annual worth, Oilers followers have been delighted to convey Henrique again after a powerful efficiency in the course of the postseason.
Associated: Oilers & Maple Leafs: Exploring Odds of a Nicholas Robertson Commerce
His veteran management was additionally wanted by different groups across the NHL, however Henrique turned down more cash to come back again and play with the Oilers. As his profession is coming to an in depth, he’ll look to make a run for his first Stanley Cup. In keeping with Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal, one staff that missed out on Henrique however supplied him more cash was the Winnipeg Jets.
“A contact of mine in Winnipeg who has data of the conversations says that Adam Henrique turned down a 2-year, $3.5m contract from the Winnipeg Jets at free company this summer season. As a substitute, he opted for the Oilers on a 2-year, $3m deal to remain in Edmonton. Whereas $500k might not seem to be loads in an $88m cap world, that’s about two thirds that of a minimal salaried participant.”
supply: “When including a High-4 D to the Edmonton Oilers blueline good issues come to those that wait: 9 Issues” – Edmonton Journal – Kurt Leavins – 09/01/2024
Gamers taking pay cuts to stay with the Oilers was considered one thing that was by no means going to occur. A particularly chilly local weather mixed with followers who could be choosy when their staff is dropping, in addition to a number of the hardest media to face in your entire league didn’t appear interesting to many gamers for some time. Nevertheless, after a Stanley Cup Last look final season the place they have been only one recreation away from profitable their first championship since 1990, some gamers appear to imagine Edmonton is the place to be.
Henrique Has a Higher Probability with the Oilers Than the Jets
The Jets will probably be pushing for a Stanley Cup this season and will have used Henrique’s veteran presence and playoff expertise to assist get them nearer to their final purpose, however they nonetheless don’t fairly have the staff to be thought-about a favourite over the Oilers. With Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard of their prime and trying to run it again with revenge on their minds, they are going to be a troublesome group to beat this season. The Oilers’ ahead depth is among the many strongest within the NHL, their goaltending is strong, and their defensive depth is nice sufficient to make one other deep push, thus making it apparent why Henrique selected the Oilers over anybody else.
Henrique can have a greater likelihood at profitable a Stanley Cup with the Oilers than he would have with the Jets. Whereas different groups might have put more cash on the desk to convey him in, it’s clear his precedence as he will get older is to win a championship, moderately than making as a lot cash as he can. It probably would have taken far more cash to have satisfied Henrique to go away the Oilers, contemplating how properly he match with the staff’s backside six and the way a lot he was beloved by the followers.
On the finish of the day, the Oilers have been capable of retain Henrique on a beneficial contract for 2 extra seasons. The Oilers have made the precise strikes this summer season and are lined as much as make one other deep push into the postseason with their acquisitions, and Henrique will probably be an enormous a part of it. His versatility stays robust regardless of being an ageing veteran, and the Oilers will be capable to make the most of him in any a part of the lineup ought to they run into damage bother this season, or in the event that they really feel like shaking issues up.
