EDMONTON, AB – Forward Adam Henrique may joke about the discomfort of sitting between Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown on the bench, but his enthusiasm for reuniting with them in Oil Country for another shot at the Stanley Cup in 2024-25 is unmistakable.
“Oh, it’s great,” Henrique said with a smirk and a hint of sarcasm after Tuesday’s practice. “I’m taking Advil every day before coming in, and I get to listen to them in both ears. They’re going to need earplugs on the bench. They’re always talking about something.”
In reality, Henrique was thrilled this offseason to learn that his linemates would be joining him again after he signed a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $3 million to stay in Edmonton. This came after he was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks as a trade-deadline addition.
The trio maintained regular contact following their team’s Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, right before NHL Free Agency when all three forwards were set to hit the open market. They had hoped to reunite in Royal Blue and continue the strong chemistry they developed as a third line that made a significant impact during the regular season and playoffs.
Fortunately, their wishes were fulfilled.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Henrique added. “Throughout the summer, we all chatted for different reasons about wanting to come back, and I think everyone was happy and excited about how things played out during free agency. Getting back with this group has everyone really looking forward to the season.”
Head Coach Kris Knoblauch was cautiously optimistic about the chances of Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, and Connor Brown all returning to the Oilers, given the unpredictable nature of free agency. However, considering the team’s performance last season and their aspirations to reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2024-25, the players’ motivations to come back to Edmonton spoke volumes.
“I thought we’d probably get one of the three,” Knoblauch said. “If we were lucky, we might get two, but the fact that we signed all three is a real stroke of luck. They’re all very focused and passionate about being part of a winning team and the possibility of winning the Stanley Cup.”
He noted that the players enjoy being in Edmonton and could have opted for other teams that offered more money. “With everything they had to consider, they chose Edmonton, which we’re fortunate for,” Knoblauch added.
Reflecting on last year’s success, Knoblauch has no plans to move Henrique from the third-line center position or replace any of the trio on that line. He confirmed that Janmark, Henrique, and Brown will start as Edmonton’s third line, barring any setbacks during Training Camp or preseason.
“Right now, it looks like his role will be third-line center, and that’s something we’re pretty certain of,” Knoblauch stated. “If you look at our three centermen, they’re pretty locked in, and that’s a decision we’re making heading into the regular season.”
When Henrique joined the team last year, his fit in the lineup was uncertain, as there were discussions about whether he would play in the top six or as a third-line center. His injury during the playoffs affected his positioning, but for the start of the new season, Knoblauch is confident in Henrique’s role. “We liked how that line performed in the playoffs, so we’ll start with it and hope they can pick up where they left off.”
For Adam Henrique, the standard he observed in Edmonton—both as a member of the opposition with the Anaheim Ducks and now as an Oilers player—solidified his choice to remain in Oil Country.
“I think it’s been there for years,” Henrique said. “You could always sense that around the league when coming in here and playing these guys. The goal is just to win. That’s it. I think everybody’s on the same page, and taking that step of getting closer, playing in the finals, and gaining that experience for a lot of guys is important. Now we’ve got to get back there, and that’s the goal from day one. That’s what we’re working towards.”
Henrique emphasized the instant chemistry he and his linemates found, combining their speed, quick thinking, and puck skills, which proved invaluable for the Oilers during last season’s crucial moments. His previous experience playing alongside Connor Brown during the World Championships with Team Canada in 2020 laid a solid foundation for their collaboration.
Meanwhile, Mattias Janmark’s versatility as a fast, two-way forward complemented the Canadian duo perfectly. Janmark’s defensive skills shone through on the penalty kill, making significant contributions, including two short-handed goals during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This dynamic trio looks poised to make a substantial impact as they aim for a championship run together in the upcoming season.
“Sometimes it takes some time,” Henrique reflected on the line’s chemistry. “Brownie and I played together at the World Championships, so we knew each other a little bit. I think that helped the two of us kind of understand each other. And I think Janny’s game can fit in with a lot of guys. He plays a hard, simple game, so once we got it put together, we were able to find that consistency.”
Henrique emphasized the importance of their line contributing both offensively and defensively. “For us as a line, that’s hopefully going to be what we’re able to provide everywhere for the group – chipping in offensively, being responsible on both sides of the puck, and that sort of thing. Hopefully, we can be a spark when needed.”
On the penalty-killing front, Henrique believes he and his linemates can make a significant impact. “That’s always been a part of my game,” he noted. “Finding the right pairs to work with is always important for the group that’s on the kill. Having Janny and Brownie together on the kill has probably helped us at five-on-five as well. We’ll continue to work on those aspects, and as a group, that will be a big part of our game and the team as a whole.”
This approach highlights Henrique’s commitment to a two-way game and his belief in the potential of his line to contribute across various situations, strengthening the Oilers’ overall performance as they aim for a successful season.
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