The Anaheim Ducks Should Keep Adam Henrique

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 26: Anaheim Ducks Center Adam Henrique (14) skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 26, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Anaheim won 5-4. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 26: Anaheim Ducks Center Adam Henrique (14) skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 26, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Anaheim won 5-4. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Anaheim Ducks
ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 11: Linesman Devin Berg #87 prepares to drop a puck for a face-off between Adam Henrique #14 of the Anaheim Ducks and Derick Brassard #19 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period of the game at Honda Center on January 11, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

Potential Targets

While I feel Henrique is being undervalued by fans for the reasons mentioned, Murray will have to listen to offers due to the 5 years remaining on his contract. For a trade to happen, Murray will be looking for a center capable of playing a top 9 role until their young studs are ready.

I have identified 3 likely targets as potential AH14 replacements. Two are veterans who would be willing to sign 1-2 year deals and one is a potential long-term 3C option.

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Brian Boyle: The behemoth is as steady as they come. In 9 full NHL seasons, he has scored 10+ goals 7 times while being deployed in a heavily defensive role. He has never had a season with under 53.4% defensive zone starts (outside 36 games as a member of the LA Kings), and has exceeded 60% defensive zone starts in 7 seasons (exceeded 70% twice).

Derick Brassard: Where Brian Boyle is a better defensive center who produces a decent amount of offense, Brassard is capable defensive center who is better suited to produce offense. He never found a role in Pittsburgh and didn’t make a real impact on either the Panthers or Avalanche. All that being said, he still managed to score 14 goals and it is his lone (full) season where he failed to top 35 points. Looking for a rebound season, DB will be searching for a one or two-year “prove-it” deal.

Jack Roslovic: The former first-round pick is only 22 years old and is coming off his first full season in the NHL. He’s a player who would immediately assume the 3C role and could develop into a high-end 3C in the very near future. Aaron Portzline reported via Twitter the young pivot is unhappy with how Winnipeg has handled his development (under 10 minutes ice time a night) and asked for a trade. If Murray is looking to add a winger like Cole Caufield in the draft, Roslovic would be an enticing addition.

Do you think Adam Henrique should be considered as a possible trade chip this summer or is it worth it for the Anaheim Ducks to keep him around? Let us know by leaving a comment for us in the comment section down below!