Adam Henrique opens up on his decision to extend with Edmonton Oilers

By Vignesh Krishnan

Modified Jul 04, 2024 15:45 GMT

Adam Henrique has enjoyed a phenomenal first few months with the Edmonton Oilers and an extension was an obvious option for both player and team. Henrique signed a two-year, $6 million deal on Monday, with the team looking to bounce back next season and go one further than their recent Stanley Cup final defeat.

Henrique spoke to the media regarding his extension and discussed the factors that led to his re-signing. As shared by Jason Gregor on X:

"I guess what it came down to was a bit of familiarity with the team," Adam Henrique said. "It was important to me for it to be a family decision, and it was with wife, and also to have a chance to win. It was a stressful time, having to make a big decision in a short period of time, but we are happy, and it was nice having a good team who wanted me.

"It was great, at this part of my career, to have an opportunity to win, and if you sacrifice some icetime, and maybe money, it is worth it. And to play in front of the fans in Edmonton again was something that excited me. It was a great experience."

What's next for Adam Henrique and the Edmonton Oilers?

The Oilers will be looking to strengthen in a few areas in order to come out as Stanley Cup winners next time around. While there are always concerns about a team missing their window, there is room for optimism in Edmonton. Adam Henrique's contract extension is just one of many moves the franchise has made and is making, and the team added some pieces in the NHL draft.

While their draft picks aren't necessarily expected to be stepping up for the Oilers immediately, Edmonton moved back into the first round to take Sam O'Reilly and also got exciting goaltending prospect Eemil Vinni in the second. The franchise made its next selection in the fifth with Connor Clattenburg, and then took Albin Sundin and Dalyn Wakely in the sixth.

The seventh round saw William Nicholl and Bauer Berry arriving, which wrapped up the draft for Edmonton. Coming back from a Stanley Cup defeat to lift the trophy may seem like an arduous road, but the Oilers will take some hope from the fact that the Florida Panthers did just that this season.