New Jersey Devils: Three Trade Packages For Adam Henrique

Chances are that Nick Merkley will never be as good or accomplished as Adam Henrique. There also isn’t much room for him on the squad beyond the three years that Henrique has left on his contract after 2021. He would have much more of an opportunity on the Anaheim Ducks where their rebuild is still more in its infancy. The Devils may not be much more advanced than them but Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier outweigh Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale.

Merkley is an energy guy that might be able to fit on a future Anaheim fourth line. New Jersey likes what it is building with its current fourth line so shipping off Merkley for Henrique could pay off. There are plenty of studs like Alexander Holtz, Dawson Mercer, and Nolan Foote coming to be a part of New Jersey’s middle six so Henrique could be the perfect placeholder.

The 2021 seventh-round pick that New Jersey gives up here also belonged to Arizona Coyotes. It isn’t much but you never know what you can find in the later rounds of the NHL Draft. This is a “future-trade” for the Anaheim Ducks. They would be getting rid of Adam Henrique’s big cap hit over the next three years after this one and they would be adding a prospect that could help them in the long run.

It might be a dream for New Jersey to add back Adam Henrique just because of how much we loved his time with them. He was a fantastic player on and off the ice. It wouldn’t be that expensive of a deal so if they can find the right one it would be cool to see. If Anaheim ends up scratching him more than playing him as they move along, it is certainly something to look into.