Top Trades, Landing Spots for Anaheim Ducks Center Adam Henrique Amid NHL Rumors

After nearly seven seasons, Adam Henrique's tenure with the Anaheim Ducks could draw to a close by the March 8 trade deadline. A versatile forward who can play center or left wing, he's slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The 33-year-old is completing a five-year, $29.1 million contract. He has an average annual value of $5.8 million and a 10-team no-trade clause. With the Ducks rebuilding their roster, it's unlikely he fits into their plans beyond this season.

The smart, hard-working two-way forward is at an age when performance begins to decline for an NHL player, but he's bucked that trend thus far. With 14 goals and 28 points in 45 games on the low-scoring Ducks, he's on pace to reach 20 goals for the sixth time and 40 points for the eighth time.

Playoff contenders looking for a skilled, experienced middle-six forward will come calling about Henrique. Given his cap hit, interested clubs could attempt to convince Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek to retain up to half of his cap hit to facilitate a trade. That could mean adding sweeteners of draft picks and prospects into their offers.

Here's a look at five teams we consider the top landing spots for Henrique and what it could cost them to acquire the veteran forward. Feel free to express your views on this topic in the app comment section.

The Boston Bruins have exceeded expectations in what was supposed to be a transition year following the retirements of long-time centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejčí.

They are battling the Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche for first place in the overall standings.

General manager Don Sweeney has a recent history of making significant additions to his roster at the trade deadline. According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, the Bruins are scouting middle-six forwards, especially someone who can bring some additional scoring punch.

Henrique may be just the ticket. He could fit on the Bruins' second or third lines as a center or left winger. That versatility could make him invaluable should injuries strike the lineup. His two-way play and faceoff skills would also be beneficial to their special teams.

Squeezed for salary-cap space, Sweeney would have to get creative to acquire the Canadian. That could involve a three-team trade to spread his cap hit around or packaging someone like pending free agent Jake DeBrusk with a draft pick or a prospect, though the Bruins don't have as many of those as they did in the recent past to draw on for trade bait.

Winners of the Stanley Cup in 2022, the Colorado Avalanche are among the top teams in the overall standings this season.

Powered by superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen, they must be considered among the favorites to contend for the Cup this season.

However, the Avalanche have lacked a reliable second-line center since Nazem Kadri departed for the Calgary Flames in August 2022. They're using Ross Colton in that role, but he's better suited for third-line duty. Meanwhile, offseason acquisition Ryan Johansen's best seasons are behind him as he's been relegated to third-line duty.

Rumors have tied the Avalanche to Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm. Should he prove too expensive to acquire or if the Flames retain him, Henrique could be their Plan B.

The Avalanche currently has $5.7 million in projected trade-deadline cap space with Gabriel Landeskog, Artturi Lehkonen and Pavel Francouz on long-term injury reserve. If they want to get the Ducks to retain some of Henrique's cap hit, it could cost them a first-round pick or a promising center such as Calum Ritchie.

Having reached the Western Conference Final last season following a 108-point campaign, the Dallas Stars entered 2023-24 with heightened expectations. They're third in the Central Division with 62 points.

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli recently included Dallas among the clubs believed to be interested in Henrique, noting how he thrived under Stars coach Pete DeBoer during their time together with the New Jersey Devils.

Henrique's versatility can make him a good fit within the Stars' middle-six forwards. He could center their third line of Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski. His strength in the faceoff circle and two-way abilities could also make him a good addition to their special teams.

The Stars have just $1.9 million in projected trade-deadline cap space. They could be forced to part with a salaried player or perhaps swing a three-team deal with the Ducks to spread Henrique's cap hit around.

Doing so could cost them a first- or second-round pick as well as a promising prospect such as Lian Bichsel.

After struggling with inconsistent play over the past three seasons, the Vancouver Canucks have emerged as a force in the NHL this season.

They're currently jostling with the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets for first place in the overall standings.

On Jan. 11, TSN's Pierre LeBrun noted Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford had indicated his club was potentially looking at adding a top-six forward. He did not suggest which player it may pursue but Henrique might fit the bill.

He could be employed as the Canucks' second-line center, utilizing his faceoff skills and two-way abilities on the power play and penalty kill. He could also slot in at left wing on their second line. They could also employ him on the third line if necessary.

Vancouver has been the busiest team in this season's trade market, so it wouldn't be surprising if it pursued Henrique.

The Canucks lack cap space so they'll have to part with a salaried player to make the dollars fit. Perhaps they'll offer up struggling winger Andrei Kuzmenko, who might benefit from a fresh start if the Ducks aren't on his no-trade list.

Jockeying for first place in the overall standings, the Winnipeg Jets are among this season's most dominant teams.

If they maintain that position over the remainder of the schedule, they'll be considered among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff could become a buyer at the trade deadline to bolster a run at the Stanley Cup. On Jan. 16, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported hearing rumors that the club is seeking depth at center.

Henrique could be on Cheveldayoff's radar. The Jets would know what he's capable of having played against him regularly since he joined the Ducks midway through the 2017-18 season. He would be a solid addition to their forward lines.

The Jets have a projected $5.4 million in trade-deadline cap space to absorb the remainder of Henrique's cap hit. They could offer up the 2024 second-round pick they received from the Montreal Canadiens.

However, the Ducks could also request a quality prospect such as Colby Barlow or Chaz Lucius as part of the deal.

Salary-cap info and line combinations via Cap Friendly.