The Blackhawks could use a couple more veterans on the team and Henrique checks a number of boxes for Chicago.
There is a good chance that the Chicago Blackhawks will add a couple of veteran forwards to their roster this summer. The most likely way is going to be through free agency.
There are a good amount of options. Despite reports that the Blackhawks might be interested in a player of Jake Guentzel's caliber, I believe that they will also grab someone who doesn't need to be signed for three-plus years or cost as much.
When looking for a short-term veteran that Chicago could add who also has skill and brings other valuable assets, a great target is Adam Henrique from the Edmonton Oilers. There is a good chance the Oilers can't or choose not to re-sign the 34-year-old after acquiring him at the trade deadline from Anaheim on March 6 for their playoff run.
Henrique is finishing a five-year contract that paid $5.825 million per season. It's unlikely he'll get the same AAV again. At his age, the Blackhawks could ideally sign Henrique for two years and get their money's worth out of him.
He's never been the fastest player, but has an ability to find the back of the net and score at least 20 goals in a season. Henrique peaked with 30 goals in New Jersey and has scored 20 or more eight times.
Henrique's defensive prowess is his selling point. He is great on the defensive side of the puck, can kill penalties, and is very much counted on in the faceoff circle as he has a 53.3 faceoff percentage this season. It was years ago, but Henrique has received Selke Trophy votes in his career. Just because he hasn't lately doesn't mean he still isn't impactful in his own end though.
The Blackhawks would like to keep the puck out of their net as much as they would like to score more goals-per-game next season. Henrique is unique in that he can help get both accomplished and has a ton of valuable experience having played 14 NHL seasons. This wouldn't be a signing to get the Blackhawks into the playoffs, but rather one that helps them along and brings them closer while being more competitive than this season.
Henrique hasn't won a Stanley Cup yet, so if there isn't a ton of interest by Cup contenders, I could even see him signing a one-year deal with a rebuilding team like Chicago in hopes he might be dealt at the trade deadline. Either way I think that Henrique would be a good veteran free agent target to go after this summer for the Blackhawks.
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