Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is finally getting an important player from his veteran team back on the ice as they get ready for the final part of the season after the Olympics, according to a trusted source.
Team insider Jason Gregor reported that forward Adam Henrique will be taken off long-term injured reserve later today.
The 36-year-old player has been out due to a stubborn injury, which really messed up his performance during a tough regular season.
Talking openly about his long recovery, Henrique shared his thoughts on how he played before his injury.
He admitted that he is currently experiencing the worst scoring season of his entire NHL career, which is a hard truth for him to accept.
However, Henrique’s true importance to the Oilers goes well beyond just scoring goals, especially when looking at their defense.
Adam Henrique will be removed from long-term injury reserve later today. He talked about his injury, the penalty kill, his low scoring this season, and what the Oilers need as they head into the final stretch.
Adam Henrique points out a key element for the Oilers.
Henrique specifically mentioned the current state of the Oilers’ penalty kill, an area where his experience and skill in faceoffs have been greatly missed.
The team has had ongoing issues with keeping a strong defense when they are short-handed, and bringing back a reliable defensive center to the bottom of the lineup can change everything.
As the playoff race in the Western Conference heats up, Henrique also explained the important “key ingredient” the team needs as they go through these tough games.
While the amazing scoring from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is crucial, Henrique stressed that focusing on the smaller defensive tasks will determine how well they do in the playoffs.
Getting a good spot in the tough Pacific Division takes a complete 60-minute effort focused on defending as a team and handling the puck properly. This is something the experienced player is very focused on improving.
With Henrique back, fully healthy and really driven, he brings the kind of steady support during playoffs that the Oilers really need at this moment.
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