Henrique could be much more than a potential rental in Edmonton
The Oilers would need to work out some logistics to bring in Adam Henrique. But once he’s in town, should they make the trade, Edmonton could keep him for a few more seasons should he join the team and they believed he was a good fit. Henrique just turned 34, and he’s certainly on the back-nine in a career that has lasted over a decade, so any new deal wouldn’t be long-term.
However, with five forwards scheduled to be unrestricted free agents, the Oilers could get a few more seasons from Henrique if they are interested in bringing him in and he plays well. This would give Edmonton scoring depth beyond the remainder of the 2023-24 season and presumably, during the playoffs.
Not only would this deal be no more than three seasons, it would also be far less than the $5.825 million Henrique is currently making in Anaheim. Overall, this would be a win for Edmonton, plus a win for Henrique, who has yet to be part of a team that has enjoyed sustained success. So even if the initial trade would take some effort, the moderate-term benefits would be much easier to work out.