Details of Jets’ Offer That Henrique Declined to Stay with Oilers…
New information has surfaced regarding the offer Adam Henrique received from the Winnipeg Jets, which he ultimately declined in favor of remaining with the Edmonton Oilers.
This summer, the Edmonton Oilers re-signed Adam Henrique to a two-year contract, paying him $3 million annually. There had been speculation that other teams had approached Henrique with slightly better deals. Now, specifics have been revealed about what Henrique turned down to stay in Edmonton.
Henrique reportedly received a more lucrative two-year, $3.5 million offer from the Winnipeg Jets. However, he chose to stay with the Oilers. Kurt Leavins from the Edmonton Journal, citing a source, pointed out that although the difference of $500k might seem small in the context of an $88 million salary cap, it is substantial—equivalent to about two-thirds of a minimum salary in the NHL.
Henrique’s decision to stay in Edmonton is a significant win for the Oilers, who were keen to retain him despite initial indications that he might explore other teams. The 34-year-old Henrique is known for his consistent production, usually around 50 points per season. During his time with the Oilers, he scored nine points in 22 games, which translates to a 34-point pace over an 82-game season. Although this is slightly below the 27 points he recorded in 60 games with Anaheim, his versatility and ability to play multiple positions provide valuable depth to Edmonton’s roster.
Henrique Prioritized Winning Over Higher Earnings
Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson had expressed a strong desire to keep Henrique, saying early in free agency, “We’d love to have him back. We just have to find a way to do it.” Part of securing Henrique’s return involved not extending offers to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, who later signed with the St. Louis Blues.
Recognizing that Henrique had other choices, Henrique himself mentioned at the end of the season that his decision wasn’t just about money at this stage of his career, highlighting that his comfort with the team and belief in their potential were key reasons for staying in Edmonton.
