Elliotte Freidman reported during intermission on Hockey Night in Canada that the Edmonton Oilers have been linked to a couple of Anaheim Ducks

During the second intermission of Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Edmonton Oilers are showing interest in two Anaheim Ducks forwards, Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick. Both Henrique and Carrick are pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and are thought to be on the move before the NHL’s March 8 trade deadline that concludes at noon PST.

“I think they have some interest in two players from Anaheim: Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick,” Friedman said. “I don’t know if that’s both or one of the two, but both of those names are names being linked to the Oilers.”

The Shifting Market Price for Adam Henrique

Adam Henrique is in the final year of his five-year $29.125 million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $5.825 million. The Ducks are believed to be willing to retain 50% of the remaining cap hit to maximize his value. Likewise, Sam Carrick’s two-year contract with an AAV of $850k will be expiring at the end of the 2023-24 season.

“Edmonton has talked a lot about targets, bigger and smaller,” Friedman also reported in the intermission segment. “One of the things the Oilers are doing is looking at some forward depth.”

The Oilers seem to desire the capability to provide offense throughout their lineup. They’ve traditionally been a top-heavy team and reliant upon their stars to produce. Improving their secondary offense would allow them to attack in waves and relieve pressure from top talents like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

The Oilers are projected to have $2.37 million in salary cap space at the deadline. If Anaheim were to retain half of Henrique’s salary, Edmonton would still have to fit $2.9125 into their cap sheet. Edmonton would either have to send a roster player back Anaheim’s way in the deal or involve a third team to broker and retain a portion as well. No such complication is present with Sam Carrick’s contract.

Adam Henrique is a versatile forward who can play a complementary role anywhere in a contending lineup, in any system, and at any forward position. He is defensively diligent, using an active stick and astute positioning to break up attacks. He thrives in tight areas of the ice offensively where he displays above-average puck protection and finishing skills. On the 20223-24 Oilers, he could slot in anywhere in their middle six and provide the depth scoring they crave and enhance the effectiveness of players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ryan McLeod. Henrique has tallied 16 goals and 22 assists in 57 games this season.

Sam Carrick is a high-motor fourth-line center center who can contribute on a second power play or penalty kill unit. He provides a prototypical fourth-line skillset but has a touch for scoring meaningful goals. He’s not shy about involving himself in the sandpaper aspects of the game and has been known to start a scrum or two. Carrick has played in all of the Ducks’ 58 games in 2023-24 and has scored eight goals and added three assists. He would fit nicely anywhere on the Oilers’ fourth line and provide some bite while chipping in with a big goal or two in a playoff run.

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