Now that Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan are off the board, Adam Henrique is widely considered the top centre available before the NHL trade deadline.
Henrique, 34, has not appeared in the playoffs since 2017-18, when the Anaheim Ducks were swept out of the first round. The other 24 playoff games on Henrique’s record came in 2012 with the New Jersey Devils. Suffice to say, Henrique is itching for an opportunity to play meaningful games.
Henrique is a jack-of-all-trades for the Ducks. He is one of 12 forwards in the league who average at least two minutes per game on both the power play and penalty kill.
Although Henrique has 15 goals and 35 points this season, his underlying numbers on offence do not pop off the page. His 1.49 scoring chances per game, for example, rank 238th out of 460 forwards who have played at least 100 minutes.
To his credit, Henrique does not miss the net when he gets opportunities from the slot, connecting on 55 of his 76 attempts (72.4 per cent). That is the eighth-best mark among 286 forwards with at least 50 attempts from that area of the ice. (Thirteen of Henrique’s 15 goals have come from the slot.)
Henrique, who can play left wing as well as centre, does his best work on the defensive side of the puck. He has made 266 defensive plays in all situations this season — tied for 22nd among forwards. His 65 shorthanded defensive plays rank third at the position. (Stick and body checks as well as blocked shots and passes are considered defensive plays.)
In addition, Henrique has won 118 puck battles, which is tied for 30th with Monahan, among others.
Teams seeking an upgrade in the bottom six or on the penalty kill should consider Henrique. The Ducks could hold out for a return like the one the Montreal Canadiens received for Monahan, which included a first-round pick. Those two players have similar profiles as defensive-minded forwards on expiring deals who can pitch in offensively.
Anaheim almost certainly would have to retain part of Henrique’s $5.825 million cap hit. Henrique also has some control over his situation; his contract includes a 10-team no-trade list, according to CapFriendly.
The New York Rangers are regularly mentioned as a potential new home for Henrique. The season-ending injury to Filip Chytil has left a hole in the middle of the Rangers’ third line. Henrique, who has won 53.5 per cent of his faceoffs this season, could solve that problem.
“I think every coach would love to have as many centremen in their lineup as possible,” Henrique recently told The Athletic. “It’s a trustworthy position, and that’s for me.”
All stats via Sportlogiq
