Adam Henrique got a personal call from Lightning coach Jon Cooper to recruit his service but the forward opted to stay in Edmonton.
That is what TSN’s Darren Dreger reported during a recent episode of The Ray and Dregs Hockey Podcast in which it was revealed how close the Oilers were to losing one of their trade deadline acquisitions.
“Adam Henrique kinda went around the circle,” he said. “Winnipeg offered I think three and a half times two for Henrique. Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper gave Henrique a call. Coaches do that when you’re trying to lure a free agent now.”
“Tampa Bay doesn’t have the money, but I know that the Lightning was an intriguing option for Henrique. St. Louis came in late, there were a number of teams that explored interest in Adam Henrique and he goes back to the Oil.”
Henrique was clearly a hot commodity on the open market as it is now known that at least three other teams and perhaps more expressed interest in acquiring his services. This is what makes the fact he was able to not only get an extension done but at a lower cap hit than what he could have gotten if he went to the Jets a clear win for Edmonton.
It also speaks to how attractive of a destination the Oilers are for free agents right now given that they are fresh off losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Jeff Skinner reportedly turned down an offer from the Leafs to sign in Edmonton while luring Viktor Arvidsson and Josh Brown from their provincial rivals in the Flames. All three of those players along with Henrique could have gone elsewhere in the league, but the allure of competing for the Cup alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatil was simply too good to pass up.
Although Henrique is on the back nine of his career, he remains an effective bottom-six forward who can provide veteran leadership and quality play on the penalty kill. And he can still chip in that all-important secondary scoring as he is coming off a combined 51 points (24 goals and 27 assists) in 82 games split between the Oilers and Ducks.
Despite missing time with injuries this spring, he was still able to produce seven points (four goals and three assists) in 17 playoff games.
