Avalanche should shoot for Henrique

Adam Henrique's $29M contract with the Anaheim Ducks ends this year, and with the Ducks rebuilding their team could the Colorado Avalanche come knocking?

Adam Henrique is still a star centreman with offensive prowess, sitting as the third-best point scorer for the Ducks, and the second-best goal-scorer, at 15 in 47 games played so far this season.

It is no secret the Avalanche are in need of a second-line centre. Their top centreman spot is easy filled by the legendary Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the NHL with 84 points and 53 assists, alternating with the Bolts' Nikita Kucherov. But the next two centremen, Ross Colton and Ryan Johansen, are both better fits for the lower lines.

Currently, Colton sits on the second, and Johansen on the third.

Johansen's back spot is mainly because of his underwhelming offensive performance this year, at 11 goals and seven assists. 

Colton is better, at 10 goals and 16 assists, but one could argue he should be pushed to third line, and Johansen to the fourth.

Adam Henrique, with 15 goals and 15 assists so far this season, would snugly fit between MacKinnon and the lower-two centres. 

The only disadvantage is Henrique's expensive cap hit at $5.825M. 

But if the Avalanche are struggling financially by the trade deadline, it may benefit them to trade off Ryan Johansen altogether, whose whopping $8M cap hit may not be worth his performance.

For their centre line, this would leave MacKinnon, Henrique, Colton and Fredrik Olofsson.

This would free up financial space for Henrique and/or any other valuable trades that could improve their roster heading into the playoffs.

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They should take valuable trade options. They do have a first-round pick in the 2024 draft that may be of great advantage, but no second- or third-round picks. After that, they are relying on rounds four through seven. Sometimes the later rounds surprise you, but there are no guarantees.

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