Oilers expected to get Adam Henrique back for Game 3

Jason Gregor of Daily Faceoff reports that Edmonton Oilers forward Adam Henrique will return for Game 3 Monday night from a suspected ankle injury when the Oilers take on the Dallas Stars. The 34-year-old has missed eight straight games and hasn’t played since Game 1 against the Vancouver Canucks on May 10.

Henrique was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks at the trade deadline along with Sam Carrick in exchange for a first-round pick in 2024 and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2025. The Tampa Bay Lightning were also involved in the trade, retaining 25% of Henrique’s cap hit and sending a seventh-round draft pick in 2024 as well as netminder Ty Taylor back to the Oilers in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2026.

If the Oilers get Henrique back into the lineup it will allow the team to shift some of their depth forwards into more suitable roles. Ryan McLeod could shift over to the wing and Derek Ryan could fall back to the fourth line.

Henrique hasn’t matched his offensive numbers from earlier in the season but isn’t playing in the same offensive capacity and has seen his average ice-time drop by almost three minutes per game. It’s fair to wonder if his injury was a nagging issue since he hasn’t been nearly as effective in the playoffs, with just a goal and an assist in six games. Henrique has also seen his CF% drop five percent lower than it was in the regular season.