February 13, 2024 | 7:40pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

HENRIQUE WAITING FOR INEVITABLE TRADE

Adam Henrique, forward

Adam Henrique knows he is likely being dealt between now and the March 8 trade deadline, and he is trying to prepare for what is expected in the coming weeks.

The Anaheim Ducks have been engaged in trade discussions involving multiple players, including Henrique, and GM Pat Verbeek is active in his talks with other teams.

Henrique, who turned 34 last week, is in the final year of a five-year, $29.125 million contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. While he owns a 10-team no-trade list, he is open to accepting a move to a top tier contender that might be one of those 10 clubs.

“It’s just kind of one of those things. Every year you seem to hear it,” Henrique told The Athletic’s Eric Stephens. “Then it’s the contract situation. Now my contract’s up so there’s more behind it. (It’s) something that we’re as prepared as we can be for, myself and my family.

“You don’t know when the trades are going to happen. Now we’ve had some early trades. So, now does it happen early? Are teams like, ‘Oh, we got to make trades now,’ or does it go right to the afternoon on the 8th?”

With Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan already dealt to new teams, Henrique is the top rental centre available in the trade market with Seattle’s Alexander Wennberg right behind him.

The Ducks are asking for a first-round draft pick as part of a package for Henrique and the team is willing to retain up to half of his contract to help facilitate a move.

“It’s funny. It could ring tomorrow and happen or it’s not going to happen for another month,” Henrique said. “So that’s the part that unless you’re on the inside or you’re a fly on the wall (of) those GMs doing all those sorts of things, we don’t know.

“But that’s the part where you just try to block out, be as prepared as we can be. Try not to worry about it, just try to focus on hockey and the games that we have.”

Henrique currently ranks No.3 on the TFP Trade Watch List. The New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins are among the teams believed to have interest in him.

In 50 games with the Ducks so far this season, Henrique has registered 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points.