Insider answers Oilers potential trade plans with veteran Adam Henrique

Edmonton Oilers' GM Stan Bowman is no exception, as he looks to make the necessary changes to his lineup in what is the busiest time of the year for NHL front offices, only two days before free agency begins and two months before training camp opens.

TSN insider Ryan Rishaug speculated that there could be a trade in the works for Adam Henrique, if the veteran agrees to it and the team wants to clear more cap space.

However, Oilers insider Bob Stauffer is much more hesitant to the idea that Henrique gets traded. At the very least, there's a chance they've asked him to waive his no move clause.

Now, what the team will look like when the Oilers do finally 'come back next year and do battle' is a matter for Stan Bowman to resolve. He already started his youth movement, however, by trading Evander Kane to Vancouver for a 4th-round pick.

Two other veterans that might not be back for the Oilers in October are veterans Adam Henrique and Victor Arvidsson, who are 35- and 32-years old respectively. Yet, both will need to waive their no-movement clause, if Stan Bowman hopes to trade them for younger players.

Adam Henrique recorded 12 goals and 15 assists in 81 games played this season, while Victor Arvidsson scored 15 goals and 12 assists in 67 games, both decent numbers for bottom-six players, but not so good that they can't be replaced by younger and faster options.

One of these options is 25-year old UFA center Phillip Kurashev, who scored 14 goals and 54 points in 75 games for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023-24 - he would be a solid bottom-six addition for the Oilers.

Another available UFA is 21-year old center Isaac Howard. The skilled forward posted 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games played for Michigan State in the NCAA last season, where he won the Hobey Baker Award as NCAA's top player. He is still one year away from the NHL, but would make a great addition to the Oilers prospect pool.

These are only two of many options that are still available to Stan Bowman, two of an ever growing and talented youth pool.

Yet, whichever direction the Oilers GM decides to take, he will need to deal with the no-movement clauses, because if the team does not get younger and faster next season, they may not get another crack at the ultimate prize and win in the 2025-26 Finals.