Adam Henrique could be the first victim of Edmonton’s summer cap crunch

Henrique, 36, carries a 3,000,000 cap hit and is headed for UFA status after 2025-26. In 57 games, he has 2 goals and 13 points.

That's why this isn't just a veteran fade story. It's a role-value story. Edmonton needs pace, cheap minutes, and support that doesn't jam the books around Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard.

Kapanen fits the same summer lane as Henrique. He is 29, on a 1,300,000 deal, and his contract also expires this year. His 15 points in 32 games help, but that spot still has to beat the cost test.

Janmark is the different case, and that's the part the first version missed. He is 33, on LTIR, and signed through 2026-27 at 1,450,000.

So Janmark is less likely to "walk" than to get squeezed by a cheaper internal option or a summer trade call. That's a roster-build problem, not the same contract problem Henrique faces.

PuckPedia lists Edmonton with 48 players under contract and a projected cap hit of $97,852,770. Stan Bowman does not have much room to carry expensive depth that isn't driving play.

That's where Henrique becomes the cleanest summer cut. Age, term, and 2 goals make him the easiest money to clear without touching the top six or the blue line core.

Kapanen still has a case because his speed gives Knoblauch a usable bottom-six look right now. Janmark's case is tougher because his deal stays on the board for another year.

That leaves the Oilers with a blunt summer choice. Henrique looks like the first exit, Kapanen is next, and Janmark stays in the danger zone for a different reason.