{"id":671313,"date":"2026-05-15T14:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/671313\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T14:27:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:27:08","slug":"edmonton-oilers-2025-26-report-cards-adam-henrique-the-hockey-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/671313\/","title":{"rendered":"Edmonton Oilers 2025-26 Report Cards: Adam Henrique – The Hockey Writers –"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the offseason rolls on, so do the Edmonton Oilers\u2019 player grades. The last report card<\/a> graded Zach Hyman, and now we turn our attention to Adam Henrique<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Oilers acquired Henrique at the 2024 Trade Deadline and then re-signed him to a two-year contract with a $3 million cap hit. He registered 21 goals and 51 points in 168 games. He was brought in to be a reliable third-line centre who kills penalties, but the Oilers required more offence from him. The veteran forward didn\u2019t provide enough depth scoring, and he was often invisible most nights. Here\u2019s a deeper look at his 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

2025-26 Performance<\/p>\n

Henrique had a very poor offensive season. He recorded three goals and 15 points in 65 games with a minus-12 rating, averaging 13:14 per game. He started the campaign as the third-line centre, but it was quickly realized that the team needed an upgrade at that position. He couldn\u2019t keep up with the pace while maintaining the responsibility of that role. Therefore, he was moved down to the fourth line for large stretches.<\/p>\n

Injuries limited him this season<\/a>. He was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 7 after blocking a shot in the previous game and missed the next 15 contests. Then, he suffered a season-ending injury in Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks after colliding with teammate Kasperi Kapanen just 2:56 into his playoff run.<\/p>\n

Despite missing significant time, he was still sixth on the team<\/a> in blocked shots with 75, first among forwards. He averaged 5.23 blocks per 60 minutes. At 5-on-5, he only had 89 offensive zone starts while having 150 defensive zone starts. He started just 37.24 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. The 2008 third-round pick was solid in the faceoff circle, winning 55.4 percent of his draws. He was also on the ice for 267 defensive zone faceoffs, which was more than Leon Draisaitl<\/a>. Henrique was a trusted, defensively responsible centre.<\/p>\n

Henrique\u2019s Absence Was Felt<\/p>\n

While Henrique didn\u2019t move the needle offensively, his absence was really felt on the penalty kill. Before his injury, the Oilers were 17th in the league at 79.7 percent from Oct. 7 to Jan. 6. However, when he was injured from Jan. 7 to Feb. 25, the Oilers had the 29th-ranked penalty kill at 67.6 percent. In the playoffs, the penalty kill was putrid at only 50 percent, and Henrique was injured for basically the entire series. They struggled immensely shorthanded without him, and those stats back that up. He was missed more than initially thought.<\/p>\n

\"AdamEdmonton Oilers Adam Henrique celebrates a goal (Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

He was on the ice for 107:40 shorthanded minutes during the regular season and was on the ice for 12 goals against. He was also on the ice for two shorthanded goals and registered two secondary assists. The 36-year-old also had a 50.34 faceoff percentage while on the penalty kill. Winning faceoffs is a crucial part of penalty killing, and Henrique did that adequately.<\/p>\n

Oilers Should Let Henrique Walk<\/p>\n

Henrique is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), but the Oilers shouldn\u2019t re-sign him. He has clearly lost a step and is no longer the player he once was. He\u2019s an aging forward who can be easily replaced as the fourth-line centre. The Oilers can re-sign Curtis Lazar on a cheap contract to fill that role. Or, 24-year-old Josh Samanski<\/a> could be his full-time replacement.<\/p>\n

The Oilers need to get younger and find depth players on cheaper contracts. They have internal options to fill that hole, leaving Henrique expendable. While he was a solid addition, the team should move on from him.<\/p>\n

Overall Grade<\/p>\n

Henrique was given a C last season<\/a>, but that will go down after this disappointing campaign. He didn\u2019t provide nearly enough offence, and he went 50 games without scoring a goal. For the amount he plays, that\u2019s unacceptable. With that said, he gets a D for this lacklustre season. He was solid on the penalty kill, which is the only reason he wasn\u2019t given an F.<\/p>\n

His time in Edmonton should be coming to an end. He doesn\u2019t do enough to help the team win, and it\u2019s time to part ways.<\/p>\n

Do you agree with Henrique\u2019s grade? Keep following The Hockey Writers<\/a> as we continue the Oilers\u2019 player report cards throughout the offseason.<\/p>\n

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