ANAHEIM, Calif. — The struggling Anaheim Ducks (22-36-3) parted ways with their second-leading goal scorer Adam Henrique and veteran center Sam Carrick in a three-team trade with the Edmonton Oilers (38-20-2) and Tampa Bay Lightning (33-24-6) on Wednesday.
With this trade, the Oilers, aiming to make a deep playoff run, successfully bolstered their forward depth. Edmonton is now second in the Pacific Division, only trailing the Vancouver Canucks by nine points. The Ducks will retain 50% of the salaries of both Henrique and Carrick, who are set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason. Edmonton will also gain the Lightning’s seventh-round pick this year and goalie prospect Ty Taylor, with Tampa Bay receiving a 2025 conditional fourth-round pick in exchange.
Given the Ducks’ recent draft success, receiving the Oilers’ 2024 first-round pick is huge. General manager Pat Verbeek will now have a late first-round selection to play with in addition to a likely top-five pick, pending lottery results. Anaheim also receives a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft.
Henrique was a catalyst for the Ducks this year, spending time on the top lines and tallying 42 points, while also generating a positive plus-minus for the first time since 2017-18. But in his 15th season, Henrique makes a lot more sense for a playoff team than he does on a squad toward the bottom of the standings. The change of scenery will allow him to compete for a Cup again, as he was a member of the New Jersey Devils’ 2012 runner-up cast.
Carrick, while less of a force, will also look to give the Oilers extra offensive production, likely on the fourth line. He totaled 11 points in 61 games, averaging roughly 12 and half minutes of ice time per game.
For the Ducks, shipping off Henrique and Carrick removes two expiring contracts from their books and replaces them with draft picks to further strengthen their deep prospect pool. If the season were to end today, the Oilers’ first-round pick would be the No. 26 overall selection. The team also recalled Pavol Regenda and Glenn Gawdin from the San Diego Gulls following the trade to fill Henrique and Carrick’s spots.
With touted names like Trevor Zegras and Frank Vatrano still on the roster, the Ducks might still have tough decisions ahead of them before Friday’s noon trade deadline.