Anaheim Ducks: Adam Henrique and Kevin Roy get new contracts
The Anaheim Ducks have continued to take care of their own this summer. In the last 24 hours, the Ducks have inked RFA Kevin Roy as well as midseason acquisition Adam Henrique. Both figure to be big parts of the Ducks offense and overall team in 2018-19.
Just a few months ago, Ducks Nation experienced a postseason they would all like to forget. Heading into the summer, Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray knew he had many internal contracts he had to get done.
They had several important restricted free agents to deal with. Young players such as Ondrej Kase, Brandon Montour, Nick Ritchie, Kevin Roy, and Andy Welinski were all without contracts. Additionally, key members of the team John Gibson, Adam Henrique, and Jakob Silverberg were entering the final year of their current deals.
In his off-season comments to the media, Murray stressed the importance to get faster and play and overall faster game. Lucky for the GM, many of the players he was talking about are fast players and maybe more importantly young players. Over the last 24 hours, Murray has inked two of those players, and one of them to a long-term deal.
Adam Henrique
Just a few days ago I wrote a piece on how Adam Henrique and his line could be a saving grace for the Ducks this year, as well as a major part of their overall offense. Henrique was a breath of fresh air last season. He was just as much a part of keeping the Ducks afloat mid-season as he was during their run to get into the playoffs late in the season.
Henrique played in 57 games for the Ducks and racked up 36 points which included 20 goals. He developed great chemistry with speedy winger Kase which provided the Ducks with some much needed secondary scoring. He was also another reliable player for Randy Carlyle to use on the power play and penalty kill. Henrique signed a Five year, $29.125M million per that will kick in at the start of the 2019-20 season. He still has one year remaining on his current contract, so Henrique will still carry the same $4M cap hit this upcoming season.
Henrique expressed great interest in re-signing during his exit interview. He made it clear he enjoyed playing in SoCal. The $5.8M per season he will earn is a little steeper than I would have gone. However, with the reports that Ryan Kesler could miss significant time; the Ducks seem to be rewarding Rico for his ability to transition to the second line center.
On top of Henriques ability to put up points, he was also a +17. That shows he takes pride in his defensive responsibilities. When the team is healthy Henrique makes the Ducks depth down the middle hard to match, with Ryan Getzlaf and Kesler and manning the pivot.
An added benefit to Henrique’s deal is that it ends when he is 34. It allows the Ducks to move him potentially in the late stages of the deal. Another option would be to allow the contract to end without being locked into an aging player at top dollar. The Anaheim Ducks are a better team with Henrique, (33-15-9). They haven’t hamstrung themselves going forward, an overall good move for GM Bob Murray and company.
Kevin Roy
The Ducks also inked RFA Kevin Roy to a one year, $874K contract. The contract is of the 2-way variety and screams of “prove it to me”. Roy was a 25 game call up where scored 7 points (6g, 1a). He was then was sent back to San Diego for the duration of the season.
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He had a great year for the Gulls posting 37 points in 45 games including 5 PP goals. Roy is fast, has great hands and isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice. The knock on Roy is his small stature (listed at 5’10” 170lbs) and his tendency to be knocked off the puck too easily. Calgary’s similar-sized Johnny Gaudreau has been successful at the NHL level. There is no reason why Roy shouldn’t get his shot as well.
His speed could bring a great dynamic to a “kid line” I have been harping on all summer long as well as a potential power play option. He has the hands and finishing ability to succeed in that role. Roy’s two-way contract means the Ducks can send him back and forth on the San Diego-Anaheim shuttle. It gives the Ducks some roster flexibility but he is clearly playing for a long-term deal. There should be even more motivation for the young speedy winger to show the Ducks what he can do.
His speed could bring a great dynamic to a “kid line” I have been harping on all summer long as well as a potential power play option. He has the hands and finishing ability to succeed in that role. Roy’s two-way contract means the Ducks can send him back and forth on the San Diego-Anaheim shuttle. It gives the Ducks some roster flexibility but he is clearly playing for a long-term deal. There should be even more motivation for the young speedy winger to show the Ducks what he can do.
Next: Ducks offense may be saved by Henrique's line