The Edmonton Oilers endured a difficult spring. After being eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks, their hopes for a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance were dashed early. Head coach Kris Knoblauch was dismissed, and General Manager Stan Bowman is now working toward hiring Mike Babcock. Roster decisions are mounting, and veteran forward Adam Henrique appears to be on his way out.
Is Adam Henrique Leaving the Edmonton Oilers?
All signs point to yes. According to NHL Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Henrique is not expected to return to Edmonton next season. He is not the only one heading for the exit, as forward Jack Roslovic is also set to hit free agency.
"After scoring 21 goals with the Edmonton Oilers this season, it sounds like Jack Roslovic will be hitting free agency next month," Pagnotta reported. "Adam Henrique is not expected back in Edmonton, either."
For Henrique, this marks the end of a two-year, $6 million deal that included a full no-trade clause. He exercised that clause, making it clear at the trade deadline that he had no interest in being moved. NHL Insider Darren Dreger confirmed this at the time. "Adam Henrique doesn't want to go anywhere and hasn't told the Oilers he's willing to waive trade protection," Dreger wrote on X. "Team and agent confirm."
Staying put did not yield strong results on the stat sheet. In 65 games this season, Henrique managed just three goals and 12 assists. This was a far cry from the form that once made him a valuable contributor, and it is hard to imagine Bowman prioritizing a re-signing given the many other areas needing improvement.
Nevertheless, Henrique's time in Edmonton had its highlights. He quietly reached the 1,000-game milestone in October, which his teammates celebrated in typical locker room fashion with personalized shirts and a video montage from assistant equipment manager Brad Harrison.
"It's been a fun morning," Henrique said at the time. "I kind of forgot about the shirts, and that's kind of a bit of a tradition. So that was fun at breakfast, seeing that this morning, and [Assistant Equipment Manager Brad Harrison] up to his old tricks with some videos and all that sort of stuff... I saw Savvy wearing out the Red Bull logo on the back, and I was like, 'Ah, he must be a race fan too, I guess.' And then I saw the rest of the shirt."
"That's the best part of the game – that camaraderie in the room and joking around with everybody and having fun and being light-hearted and just the joy that that brings to the game with everybody in there and being a part of it."
Henrique was originally selected 82nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2008 NHL Draft. He went on to play for the Devils and Anaheim Ducks before joining Edmonton. Across 1,058 career games, he has recorded 278 goals, 294 assists, and 572 points—a solid career by any measure, even if his final chapter in Alberta ended quietly.
With Bowman expected to overhaul the roster following a disappointing playoff exit, younger and cheaper options will likely take priority. Henrique, now well into his 30s, will need to find a fresh start elsewhere if he intends to continue playing.
