Struggling veteran forward leaves coach no option but demotion to 4th line

With 2G and 7A in 37 games this year, it's clear that Henrique's value to the team isn't his offense. He doesn't have the skill to finish, and with the Oilers' bottom-6 being badly outplayed, his role must be redefined.

Against Vegas on December 21st, Adam played on his usual third line between Savoie and Mangiapane, combining for one shot on goal and 6 minutes in penalties. That's roughly a $7.5M cap hit for 7:01 TOI of work and zero production.

In fact, with Henrique on the ice, the Oilers' score only 1.13 goals and 0.7 points per 60 at 5v5, less than half the NHL's average, while ranking him last on his team, according to Natural Stat Trick

However, Henrique leads all Oilers' forwards in TOI while on the penalty kill, a role in which his talent shows, winning 55% of his faceoffs.

He is trusted by the coaching staff to play significant minutes and execute good clears and interceptions while shorthanded. Beyond that, he's a liability.

Unfortunately for the Oilers, he has a full no-movement clause and cannot be traded, nor sent to the minors.

Short of benching him indefinitely, playing on the fourth line in a limited capacity may be the only option left to the coaching staff.

Given his $3M cap hit, simply parking him in the press-box will prove a costly alternative.

Henrique is in the final year of his contract and will be 36-years old when he becomes a UFA on July 1, 2026. It's unlikely he'll be resigned.