PROJECTED LINEUP: Henrique & Carrick to debut in Columbus

COLUMBUS, OH – New additions Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick practiced for the first time as Oilers during Thursday's morning skate at Nationwide Arena and look set to make their debuts in Blue & Orange later this evening when Edmonton goes for their sixth straight victory against the Blue Jackets.

"It never really sinks in until it happens, and now that I'm here, it's starting to feel pretty real," Carrick said.

Carrick, who will wear No. 39 for the Oilers, was between Mattias Janmark and Derek Ryan on the fourth line during Thursday's pre-game practice while Henrique, who will wear No. 19, skated in top-six white at left wing alongside Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane on the second line.

Winger Connor Brown rotated in during line rushes in the bottom six and looks set to be the 13th forward tonight while forward Dylan Holloway was loaned to the Bakersfield Condors before the team's pre-game skate in Columbus in a corresponding move to yesterday's trade with Anaheim.

Henrique is a natural centre who can provide versatility in Edmonton's top-nine forwards with the ability to play on the wing, where he'll start his tenure with the club on Thursday alongside one of the NHL's most potent offensive weapons in Draisaitl and another elite winger in Kane.

"He's on pace for about 25 goals this year, so he'll definitely be a good compliment for Leon," Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said. "And hopefully, the sooner we put those guys together, we'll see what they have and hopefully we can build some chemistry."

After getting many first-hand looks at the Oilers in the Pacific Division as a member of the Ducks, the 34-year-old is prepared to do whatever's necessary to help contribute offensively and defensively – whether that's from the wing or centre on Edmonton's second or third line, where he's expected to be deployed by the coaching staff.

"I think you want to attack. Playing against these guys is a big challenge," Henrique said, describing facing the Oilers as opposition. "We've seen that a lot in Anaheim and to be on the other side of it and play with them, it's exciting. So for me, I think my game is just going out there, not overcomplicating things and just doing a lot of the little things that can help the line like being low, playing there and then just looking to attack.

"Sometimes it takes a bit to get that chemistry, but hopefully we can get some of that right away."

Carrick, also a centre, carries an agitating style and similar flexibility to his former Ducks' teammate that's well-suited for a fourth-line energy role and penalty-killing responsibilities that could show their true value in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where depth is a powerful tool for championship-calibre teams. The 32-year-old is excited to see how he fits into the lineup and where he can make his largest contributions to Edmonton's push for a sixth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

"It takes a lot to win," he said. "It takes a whole team a lot of depth, and I think this team already has tons of depth and I'm looking forward to hopefully adding to that.

"Obviously, the PK is going to be huge in playoffs; a lot of one-goal games, a lot of high-pressure situations in the D zone that I think over the season, you build a lot of confidence in yourself in that. Come playoff time, it all comes naturally."

The two new Oilers are excited to be immediately injected into the lineup despite the quick turnaround from yesterday afternoon's trade from Anaheim.

"It's nice just to throw the stuff on and go play some new systems," Henrique said. "I'm trying not to overthink too much right now and just go out there and play. For the most part, most teams in this league play pretty similar systems. A few tweaks here and there, but there's really not much that changes.

"At the end of the day, you're going out there and you're playing, and I think the best hockey is usually when you're not thinking too much and you're just reacting. I've got all systems down now and I'm looking forward to just getting out there and executing it."

Goaltender Calvin Pickard will get the start in Columbus after taking to the starter's crease during Thursday's practice. The 31-year-old netminder earned the victory in his last appearance between the pipes, making 23 saves against the Pittsburgh Penguins, picking up his eighth win in his last 10 starts.

View the Oilers Projected Lineup vs. Columbus:

Nugent-Hopkins - McDavid - Hyman
Henrique - Draisaitl - Kane
Foegele - McLeod - Perry
Janmark - Carrick - Ryan
Brown

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Desharnais
Kulak - Ceci

Pickard
Skinner