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Oilers place Adam Henrique on injured reserve, expected to return ‘after Olympic break’
Edmonton Oilers Adam Henrique
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
Jan 7, 2026, 20:03 EST
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Adam Henrique will indeed be out for a while. 
The Edmonton Oilers announced on Wednesday that the veteran forward is not expected to return until after the Olympic break and has been placed on injured reserve. 
Henrique went down in the first period against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday after blocking a shot from Filip Forsberg. He played just 2:26 of ice time in two shifts. 
Head coach Kris Knoblauch said Henrique would be out “a little while” in his post-game press conference, but the timelines were clarified Wednesday evening via the Oilers’ social media. 
After the Oilers play the Flames on February 4th, Edmonton doesn’t suit up again until February 25 against the Anaheim Ducks, which could mark Henrique’s return.  
It’s been a difficult season for the 35-year-old, who’s been in the lineup every game so far. 
He’s scored two goals and 10 points on the year, but is mired in an absolute goal-scoring dry spell. The last time Adam Henrique scored was October 23 vs the Montreal Canadiens, meaning he’s gone 35 games since his last marker. 
Henrique’s absence from the lineup could give more opportunities for young players like Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard to establish themselves. After his injury, Knoblauch put Jack Roslovic at centre with Savoie and Howard as the wingers. 
Knoblauch said it’s likely that line will stay together and “see what they can build.” 
It also leaves a penalty-killing role available. The Oilers have used Henrique on the penalty kill for over 71 minutes this season, the most of any forward. 
The Oilers’ difficult cap decisions could also be delayed, yet again, by another injury. 
Jake Walman is nearing a return to the lineup, and with Edmonton placing Tristan Jarry on LTIR this week, Walman can come back without major delay. 
If Jarry’s timeline to return is true, slated for mid-January, and Henrique is later placed on LTIR, the Oilers could send down bodies to the AHL or through waivers, without being forced to trade Andrew Mangiapane. 
Long-injured Kasperi Kapanen returned to the lineup on Tuesday and scored his first goal of the season, while adding an assist.
Henrique surpassed the 1000-game plateau on October 21 against the Ottawa Senators. This is his third season with the Oilers after being acquired in 2023-24 at the NHL trade deadline. Last year, he scored 12 goals and provided 27 points. 
The Oilers begin life without Henrique on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets.

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