The Edmonton Oilers completed a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday afternoon. They acquired centers Adam Henrique with salary retention and Sam Carrick as well as the rights to goaltender Ty Taylor, who was a 7th round pick in the 2018 NHL draft, and a 2024 7th round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2024 1st round pick and a conditional 2025 5th round pick that will turn into a 4th if the Oilers win the Stanley Cup this season. Anaheim will also retain 50% of both cap hits. The Tampa Bay Lightning are receiving a conditional 2026 4th round pick and retaining 25% of Henrique’s cap hit, whereas as the Ducks are retaining 50% of Henrique.
Henrique has 42 points through 60 games this season, while Carrick has 11 points through 61 games. This trade gives Edmonton more depth down the middle than they already had and will leave the coaching staff with more line-up options. Both players have good face-off numbers. Henrique can strengthen the second or third-line offense, and Carrick makes the 4th line tougher while chipping in for the odd goal once in a while. Edmonton’s penalty kill took a nosedive after the All-Star weekend; both of these additions should help make that a strength again. Oilers GM Ken Holland needed to wait for Sam Gagner to clear waivers to free up cap space before making this deal.
I like both of these players, and I believe they can help. However, after seeing the return for Vladimir Tarasenko an hour before, I can’t say I’m a huge fan of seeing a 1st rounder go the other way. Though you could also make the case that the 1st rounder won’t be as high this summer anyway because we’re hoping to see a much deeper Playoff run than last year. Nevertheless, we still got two good players and the quality of 200ft hockey amongst the forward group just increased. Let’s see if more Oilers deals are in the cards.
Do you like this trade? Do you not? Let me know.
