With Adam Henrique set to come back from his injury, there will need to be some changes to the team lineup.
One clear change was sending the young player Josh Samanski to Bakersfield on February 5th, so Henrique could take his place on the active roster.
New team setup after the Olympic break
When the Oilers return, Henrique is coming back. So the assumption is Samanski goes down. Heading to the deadline, I would like to see Edmonton run these lines:
Hyman – McDavid – Kapanen
Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Savoie
Frederic – RNH – Roslovic
Henrique – Lazar – Mangiapane— Rob Soria (@Oil_Drop) February 6, 2026
Adam Henrique got hurt on January 6, 2026, during a game against the Nashville Predators. He first went on Injured Reserve and then, on January 13, 2026, he was moved to Long-Term Injured Reserve.
Now that he’s coming back, the Oilers will have a stronger lineup. He is expected to take a spot on the third line, which will help the team’s defense. This change will also give other younger players, like Savoie, a chance to play better in different roles, such as on the second line.
Henrique’s injury has greatly affected the Oilers’ penalty kill. At the time he got injured, he led the forwards on the team with 1 minute and 35 seconds of penalty kill time per game and a total of 71 minutes, according to PuckPedia.
His comeback will strengthen a penalty kill unit that has struggled quite a bit while he was out.
Besides being a great defender, he is also one of the best on the team at winning faceoffs. He ranks second in faceoff wins with 235 and has a win rate of 55%, only behind Leon Draisaitl. This is very important for controlling the game, especially during close matches.
Henrique’s return is happening at a key moment in the season, with 24 games left that could help the team secure a spot in the playoffs.
Before the Olympic break, the Oilers had some trouble, losing their last three games after winning three in a row, which was their first winning streak this season.
The 34-year-old is currently in the second year of a two-year contract worth $3 million. How well he plays for the rest of the season and in the playoffs will significantly influence whether the Oilers want to sign him again.
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