Adam Henrique Appreciation Thread

[Patrik26]

Maybe I'm getting a little sentimental too, but I can see him coming back at some point, even though he wasn't a Shero guy, Shero inherited him. I could see him coming back in the event that he signs a big deal, gets bought out and comes back for a cheap deal, with short term. Also assuming that he's still a good player then, just that he'd be a bit overpaid and get bought out as a result.

I always felt like the original Gionta would be back. In the early 2010's, I never thought Gomez would play here again before Gionta.

It almost seems like Adam thinks he'll be back someday, with his ''For now....'' comment haha.

He seemed to love being a Devil, unlike a couple other guys, who couldn't wait to get the hell out of here while we were still competing/contending in a couple cases. And he seemed to love it here, even though the team hadn't been competitive since his rookie year.

LOL! I posted my previous reply before reading this. Amen.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I definitely wouldn’t restich a Rico jersey if you had one. He left on good terms and is just too much of a stand up guy.

 

[Bleedred]

Thanks Rico, you pass the torch of being the sexiest Devil on to Gibbons, good luck in Anaheim.

Wow, really? Gibbons? Haha. That's some interesting taste, I guess. My longtime ex-girlfriend used to think Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) was sexy. She used to refer to him as a ''Sexy man'', which even made her mother roll her eyes.

Rico definitely was the best looking guy on the team. Nico might replace that, even though he's more of a quiet, shy type. One thing that did creep me out occasionally about Rico, was that he sometimes looked like a 70's porn star, with the mustache and some of the suits he sometimes wore. I keep picturing him with chest hair too. Like the top shirt buttons undone and the chest hair hanging out, like Jack Tripper and Larry Dallas? I never noticed if he had any, but he looks like he should, with how 70's looking that mustache and some of those suits were.

This guy did a lot for the fans during what has to be one of the ****tiest periods of being a Devils fan.

I am surprised how sad I am to see him go.

What really makes it hurt is how much the guy seemed to LOVE being here. I mean, he's the kind of guy that probably would have taken a discount, even an unfair discount, to stay here, if anyone ever took an unfair discount to stay.

 

[Bleedred]

I definitely wouldn’t restich a Rico jersey if you had one. He left on good terms and is just too much of a stand up guy.

Like I said, I'd be feel a lot more comfortable wearing his jersey than Parise's. If I had a jersey of his, I'd still wear it. To me, he's kind of like Brian Gionta. Gionta didn't really wanna leave, but signed with Montreal when Lou didn't make an offer. He also seemed a little sad that he couldn't stay, at least that was always the impression that I got from him. There's definitely a huge difference to me between Henrique and Gionta, when compared to Parise and Gomez or Holik. I think Holik and Gomez made peace on everything, by returning for the reunion tour. Especially Gomez, as he actually had a great 50+ games with us that season.

 

[Nubmer6]

Wow, really? Gibbons? Haha. That's some interesting taste, I guess. My longtime ex-girlfriend used to think Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) was sexy. She used to refer to him as a ''Sexy man'', which even made her mother roll her eyes.

This gives me hope that someday some girl may find me sexy

 

[kidkosher]

There is no way in hell that I restitch. He's the kind of guy who will make me an Anaheim fan for the next two years.

 

[Camille the Eel]

I was surprised at how sorry I was to hear that Henrique was upset with the trade; and that both Shero and Hynes had to take a lot of time with him, working through it. And I think it means that I felt a strong connection with him and affection for him as a player.

I think it's probably a general sentiment. He's been here a while, the face of the franchise through thick and thin, from the Kovalchuk years, through Jagr, and then exit-Deboer, and now the rebuild - You always felt his engagement with the teammates and fans and sincerity. From Patty to Nico, he was the bridge.

Sports stars are funny; its show - biz; like actors, dancers and singers, they build a relationship with the fans and it's real, they've given you something, watching them has given you something of themselves, so it feels personal. Maybe that's why when a player gets traded they always remind you that sports is a business. Because meantime it feels like something else.

He was our best player during this rather unique span of time. Came up when JJ was hurt (broken arm?) I remember and as our best young forward never looked back. Remember that crazy pass Patty hit him with, like flipped it ten feet in the air over the defense, kind of a football bomb, and dropped it at his feet to send him in on a breakaway to score? That really sticks in my mind.

I am missing him. It feels like a different team now. Like this somehow marks the real division of time and the beginning of a new era here.

 

[Its a Trap]

Guy loved being a Devil. Fantastic #14. Thanks for one of the best live sports moment of my life so far.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Actually the 2011-12 Stanley Cup final club was Marty's last hurrah in the playoffs too, and I think Gionta was also on that team. So from that point of view Rico really was the transitional guy. He was key on that team, witness the two overtime goals. But he carried on into the wilderness after that.

I will also look back on that last appearance on the post game show with Deb about ten days ago, was it after Minnesota? Where he'd scored and gotten into a couple of fights also, and came surprise into the studio and they'd given him this camouflage jacket that apparently means in the locker room that you're the "in the trenches guy" for that game. He'd scored for the first time in ages and that was the last post game interview for him here, I think. Who knew he'd be gone soon after that.

Rico we hardly knew ye.

 

[OmNomNom]

wonder who our next #14 will be. he and gionta were both amazing devils who left on good terms

edit: BOTH giontas

 

[Unknown Caller]

Actually the 2011-12 Stanley Cup final club was Marty's last hurrah in the playoffs too, and I think Gionta was also on that team. So from that point of view Rico really was the transitional guy. He was key on that team, witness the two overtime goals. But he carried on into the wilderness after that.

I will also look back on that last appearance on the post game show with Deb about ten days ago, was it after Minnesota? Where he'd scored and gotten into a couple of fights also, and came surprise into the studio and they'd given him this camouflage jacket that apparently means in the locker room that you're the "in the trenches guy" for that game. He'd scored for the first time in ages and that was the last post game interview for him here, I think. Who knew he'd be gone soon after that.

Rico we hardly knew ye.

Stephen Gionta was on the 2012 team, it was his first year. Brian was gone for years before that. Rico was one of the only constants after losing Marty, Kovalchuk, Parise, Clarkson, Elias, etc. in short order. He was also the guy who took the lead with social media after Lou left. I've met Henrique at bars in Hoboken in July. He was committed to this team and to the area in general and couldn't be a nicer guy. Strictly on the ice, he was a frustrating player. But his personality is what makes this so difficult. It's been a long time since the players and fanbase have connected with a guy like they/we have with Rico. Sucks to see him go.

 

[DevilDog]

Rico was always one of my favorites. He was a great character and will be sorely missed. It’s a shame that the year we might finally make the playoffs we trade a guy we know can raise his game that time of year...

 

[Emperoreddy]

We don't actually know that. He has only one playoff run in his career.

 

[NJDevs26]

I like Adam but it's not like he lit the world on fire in that postseason in general, it's just that when he did score goals it was ridiculously well-timed.

But yeah 14's been a good number for us lately between Brian and Rico. Rolston the first time around wasn't too bad either.

 

[Wingman77]

Always loved this series of events from him, get a 2 on 1 and make a heck of a play on this assist for what would be the GWG in this game that series.

 

[Devils Dominion]

PZ should change his # to 14 for a fresh start.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

PZ should change his # to 14 for a fresh start.

That was Zacha’s number at Sarnia. Maybe he will claim it next season.

 

[Combat Koala]

Always loved this series of events from him, get a 2 on 1 and make a heck of a play on this assist for what would be the GWG in this game that series.

That was a great series. So many good and memorable moments in those games.

It's kind of sad to see Henrique go but we had to do something to our defense. I would have preferred to wait until the season is over to see how the kids have developed but eh, it is what it is at this point. Hopefully things work out for us and Henrique. His personality will be missed and he surely will be remembered for a long time due to him exploding into the scene and being an important piece of our 2012 playoff run. He seemed to like being here and people liked his attitude and personality. All of the best to him in the future.

 

[New Jersey]

he was a nice guy who tried hard

 

[Bcap88]

Rico making an impact for anh already

 

[Emperoreddy]

You knew he would. He was going to come out guns blazing.

 

[Wingman77]

 

[Devils Dominion]

One of the best goals this season in the league
And one of the best guys.

Wish Rico nothing but the best.

The video tribute was well done.
Brought back a lot of great memories.

 

[My3Sons]

Wow, really? Gibbons? Haha. That's some interesting taste, I guess. My longtime ex-girlfriend used to think Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) was sexy. She used to refer to him as a ''Sexy man'', which even made her mother roll her eyes.

Rico definitely was the best looking guy on the team. Nico might replace that, even though he's more of a quiet, shy type. One thing that did creep me out occasionally about Rico, was that he sometimes looked like a 70's porn star, with the mustache and some of the suits he sometimes wore. I keep picturing him with chest hair too. Like the top shirt buttons undone and the chest hair hanging out, like Jack Tripper and Larry Dallas? I never noticed if he had any, but he looks like he should, with how 70's looking that mustache and some of those suits were.

What really makes it hurt is how much the guy seemed to LOVE being here. I mean, he's the kind of guy that probably would have taken a discount, even an unfair discount, to stay here, if anyone ever took an unfair discount to stay.

I agree with your last point. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back here after his current deal expires. I had been skeptical of that, but given his exile and his seeming continued fondness for the team I could see him reaching out to Shero and agreeing to something along the lines of 3 years with an average cap hit for a player of his caliber. That would be tempting for NJ.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Honestly, Shero was pretty spot on with everything he said when the trade took place. He thought Rico had the potential to hit another level and that a change of scenery could help. Obviously, it's a small sample at this stage, but it's quite possible that is what we see.

That tribute video is fantastic, but the Pads of Seduction are even better.