Ducks: Adam Henrique should be first option to fill in for Ryan Kesler

Ryan Kesler’s health is a big question mark going into next season. If Kesler is unable to compete for the Anaheim Ducks in any capacity, they should look to fellow center Adam Henrique to fill the void.

With reporter Elliott Friedman reporting that there is a possibility Kesler may fully miss next season, the Anaheim Ducks may face being shorthanded yet again. A healthy team was hard to come by for the Ducks this past season.

Top players Ryan Getzlaf (broken cheekbone), Kesler (hip surgery), Fowler (knee sprain) are just a few that missed significant time. Whenever you thought the Ducks would get healthier, another fellow Duck would succumb to injury.

With Kesler out nearly half of last season, he was clearly not the same, effective player. He had to receive constant injections to continue to play and ease pain, learn how to skate again and constantly skip practices. Kesler only posted eight goals and six assists for a total of 14 points in 44 games, far below from what we expect him to produce.

If the soon to be 34-year-old Kesler is indeed out for a significant period of time (full season or not), his absence will need to be addressed. Its time the Ducks look to recent newcomer and ex-New Jersey Devil Henrique. Why you ask? Why not insert someone like Chris Wagner or Derek Grant to fill Kesler’s spot like last year?

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While Wagner and Grant subbed in admirably for Kesler, they are not as offensively or defensively gifted as Henrique. I believe Henrique can bring even more than what we saw he did with young wings Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie.

He is an incredible two-way and high IQ player. Quite honestly, Henrique can provide excellent defense on the ice and still bring a bit more of an offensive punch that Kesler previously could not.

Let’s not forget that Henrique was the first line center for New Jersey not so long ago.

Offensively, he is a 20+ goal scorer in his past three seasons with New Jersey and Anaheim. He has earned playing more minutes than third line minutes.

In addition, Henrique has also expressed interest in staying in Anaheim long term per his exit interview at the end of the season. He is making $4 million this upcoming season (last season of current contract) and has major incentive to show why he should stay in Anaheim.

The only way for the Ducks to show they are committed to him and that he is deserving of a raise is to grant him this opportunity if Kesler is on the mend.

Henrique is used to taking on big roles and greater responsibilities.

Even though he may have to learn and work with new linemates Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano, I have no doubt Henrique will be able to adapt. No offense, but his movement to the second line should be seen as an upgrade for himself and the team. He will be with more seasoned, mature veterans that can play off Henrique’s skill and instinct.

Henrique’s clean bill of health (only missing three games the past three seasons) will also aid in building chemistry. It may take time, but it will come. Silfverberg and Cogliano’s point production may also increase with a healthy centerman.

While others may explore free agency, trades, or view players in the Ducks’ minor league system (e.g. San Diego Gulls’ Sam Steel) as potential replacements for Kesler, the Ducks must realize that Henrique does many of the things Kesler does and quite possibly may even do them at a higher level at this stage of their careers.

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Henrique is younger (28), in his prime, extremely skilled, and most importantly, healthy to be effective on the ice. Should Kesler be out at any time next season, Henrique is the right man to fill in.

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