Anaheim Ducks: Adam Henrique extension is good for him, not for others
By Redan Lopez
With Anaheim Ducks hockey about two months away from getting started, we examine whose Duck players’ stock has gone up and down based on Adam Henrique’s signing a five-year contract extension just last week.
The Anaheim Ducks had a relatively quiet offseason and made depth signing moves. Most notably, signing two depth defensemen, Ondrej Sustr and Luke Schenn, and bottom six forwards, Brian Gibbons and Carter Rowney. These moves are unlikely to put the Ducks over the top next season.
Yet the biggest move they probably made was inking early-season acquisition and ex-New Jersey Devil Adam Henrique to a contract extension for an average annual value (AAV) of $5.850 million through the 2023-2024 season.
Getting Henrique locked in is a big deal because it provides a signal from Ducks management that they want the team to stay competitive and be good for years to come. No rebuild seems to be on the horizon. The Ducks also get to keep a very intelligent and savvy veteran who displayed incredible chemistry with youngsters Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie.
While a contract extension may be a good thing overall for the Ducks team and for the player receiving the extension, it also provides serious implications for other teammates.
Stock Up: Adam Henrique and the Ducks team
Henrique’s rising stock is an obvious one here. His long-term signing with the Anaheim Ducks is a win for the Ducks too. It is a win for the Ducks because it ensures they will have a No. 2 center or fringe No.1 center for the foreseeable future. Even though Henrique played as the third line center last season, he could play higher in the lineup if asked.
It also gives the team stability down the middle as they can keep their three-headed monster of Getzlaf, Kesler, and Henrique to terrorize opponents. Most teams would covet such a talented and versatile trio.
The Anaheim Ducks also ensure themselves of a skilled veteran who can help guide some of the young talent coming up soon (i.e. forwards Troy Terry, Max Jones, Sam Steel) and those currently in the lineup in Kase and Ritchie. The team seems to be marking Henrique as part of a leadership role (aka alternate captain) in the near future with longtime Duck defenseman Cam Fowler.
Individually, the extension is a win for Henrique because his increased cap hit most certainly means he will get to take on more defensive and offensive responsibilities next season, especially with the uncertainty of Ryan Kesler playing 100% due to hip complications.
Defensively, he will most likely be taking on more faceoffs in the defensive zone. Its quite possible that Henrique may also take on the opposing team’s best offensive players on some nights, which is a role Kesler and his linemates have played the last four seasons.
Offensively, he will probably be asked to increase the 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists) posted last season as he builds better chemistry with his team and linemates. From what Henrique stated in his conversation with the NHL network, he is excited for the challenge ahead.
At 28, Henrique gets compensated well too with a raise of nearly $2 million from his current expiring deal which carries a cap hit of $4 million. The pressure will be on for him to perform to his new contract. The Ducks have shown confidence that they will give him every opportunity to do so.