NHL Rumors: Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick Traded to Oilers from Ducks in 3-Team Deal

The Edmonton Oilers reportedly added some offensive firepower and depth ahead of Friday's NHL trade deadline.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN and Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the Oilers acquired forwards Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick from the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Seravalli noted there is a third team and "salary retention" involved in the transaction.

Chris Johnston and Eric Stephens of The Athletic reported Anaheim will receive draft picks in return:

It is anything but a surprise to see the Ducks move Henrique and Carrick.

Both players will be free agents after this season, and the team is nowhere near playoff contention in seventh place in the Pacific Division with 47 points on a 22-36-3 record. Anaheim is best off focusing on the future, and landing draft picks in exchange for two players who could sign elsewhere next offseason anyway is an ideal way to do just that.

Edmonton, on the other hand, is pursuing a Stanley Cup with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way.

It is 38-20-2 with 78 points and is in second place in the Pacific Division. While it is nine points behind the first-place Vancouver Canucks, the team has also played four fewer games and will have the opportunity to make up some ground during the stretch run.

Henrique and Carrick can help the Oilers do just that.

Henrique is a veteran who has been in the league since the 2010-11 campaign and played for the New Jersey Devils and Ducks across his 14 seasons. He has 42 points on 24 assists and 18 goals in 60 games this season, which is the 10th time in his career he reached the 40-point mark.

Carrick previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and made his first appearance with the Ducks during the 2018-19 campaign. He has appeared in 61 games this season and has 11 points on eight goals and three assists.

The Oilers are in the middle of a four-game road trip and face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.