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Adam Henrique chose the Oilers over a bigger payday elsewhere
When the Edmonton Oilers traded for Adam Henrique from the Anaheim Ducks at the trade deadline, most fans thought he'd be a short-term rental, just passing through before testing free agency.
Yet in July, Henrique took a good look at his options and decided Edmonton felt like home. He signed a two-year deal with Edmonton with a $3 million average annual value (AAV).
However, it turns out the Oilers weren't the only team interested in Henrique this summer.
Henrique reportedly turned down a more lucrative offer from the Winnipeg Jets-a two-year contract worth $3.5 million per season.
Sure, he only left $500K on the table to stay with the Oilers, but that's a big deal for a cap-strapped team like Edmonton.
In a world with an $88 million cap, that might not seem like much, but it's about two-thirds of a minimum salary player's contract.
The 34 year-old showed he still has plenty left in the tank after joining the Oilers. In the 22 regular-season games following the trade, he notched six goals and nine points. He also contributed seven points in 17 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Looking ahead, Henrique is likely to slot in as coach Kris Knoblauch's third-line center next season. As for his linemates? The Oilers have a ton of options, including Vasily Podkolzin, Jeff Skinner, Connor Brown, and Mattias Janmark. No matter who's on his wings, Henrique's decision to stay shows his dedication to capturing his elusive Stanley Cup in blue and orange.
Source: Blades of Steel
Insider reveals how much Adam Henrique left on the table to stay in Edmonton
Insider reveals how much Adam Henrique left on the table to stay in Edmonton
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 116 ANSWERS Adam Henrique chose the Oilers over a bigger payday elsewhere Do you think Adam Henrique made the right choice by taking less money to stay with the Edmonton Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 86 | 74.1 % |
| No | 30 | 25.9 % |
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