How the NHL trade deadline helped the Oilers
Despite the early season deficit the Edmonton Oilers found themselves in, they have since been one of the league’s best hockey teams that we all knew would help themselves at the 2024 NHL trade deadline. Edmonton didn’t just add depth, however; they acquired one of the hottest names at the trade deadline in Adam Henrique, and he helps this team out in so many ways.
Henrique joins a team that boasts some of the NHL’s best scorers, including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisatil, and Zach Hyman, among others. Hyman has found the net more than any other Oilers player, but if he (or McDavid and Draisaitl) has a bad game or two, Henrique can definitely help ease the pain there, especially if the Oilers look flat offensively.
With 18 goals on the season, Henrique is just five behind star center Connor McDavid as of Trade Deadline Day, and he’s somebody opponents must anticipate will look for scoring lanes any time he’s on the ice. Opponents thought they had to keep an eye on the McDavid, Draisaitl, and Hyman trio, along with Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and now, they get to meet Adam Henrique.
Adam Henrique was a huge win for the Oilers at the NHL trade deadline
Henrique is yet another forward on the Oilers who is more than fine with contributing when the team doesn’t have the puck, and teammate Sam Carrick, who was also part of the blockbuster deal alongside prospect Ty Taylor, is a defensive-first center who loves to hit and win faceoffs. Most of Carrick’s starts occur in the defensive zone, and if he can win draws often, it will be huge for the Oilers when they’re in close games.
Troy Stecher provides Edmonton with another asset to use on the bottom-pairing, and he will give them at least a block per game. This was something the Oilers needed, given Stuart Skinner’s overall unpredictable performances when the team isn’t going on 16-game winning streaks. Therefore, it may have been a more under-the-radar move, but nonetheless, it’s still a good one.
Overall, the Oilers did a fantastic job at the trade deadline, acquiring major depth pieces plus a strong two-way talent in Henrique. Now, let’s see if Edmonton can parlay their strong performance at the deadline into a Pacific Division Championship.
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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference, information provided by Cap Friendly)