The Milwaukee Admirals and Texas Stars decided to flip loan deals today. The Admirals will be sending Kevin Henderson to the Stars – and the Stars will be sending Francis Wathier to the Admirals.
It has been a rough season for Henderson. He started the campaign off nursing an injury and has never really been able to recapture last season’s success that saw him earn his first career NHL recall and goal. Last season he played 67 games, scored 29 points (17 goals, 12 assists), 24 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of +13. This season he has played in 50 games, produced 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists), recorded 14 penalty minutes, and has a plus/minus of -3. In total with the Admirals he has played 147 games, picked up 54 points (28 goals, 26 assists), 50 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of +11.
The new addition to the Admirals, Francis Wathier, has spent his entire professional career in the Stars organization. He has played in 10 games with the Dallas Stars – never recording more than 5 penalty minutes in his time up in the NHL. The 29-year old from Ontario has played in 492 career games in the AHL. During his time in this league he has amassed 185 points (87 goals, 98 assists), 639 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of -17.
I strongly encourage fans to wish Kevin “Hendo” Henderson the very best via Twitter.
UPDATE:
I would like to thank the @mkeadmirals for all the support and memories over my three seasons! Amazing town and fans #StayPesky
— Kevin Henderson (@khendo86) March 9, 2014
What are your reactions to this move? What do you feel Francis Wathier will add to this team?
Admirals Roundtable 
Kind of weird since both have NHL two – way deals and both are forwards. Is it just a change of scenery for both that is needed? Henderson has been Mr. Invisible this season so no concern.
we got winchester last year this year we have wathier
Excellent move adding Francis Wathier. He brings size and he uses it. Along with being a smart veteran team guy. Looking forward to seeing him in a Admiral’s jersey ( # 38 ) .
Nice job Paul Fenton .
I’d like to see Francis Wathier on a line with Mathieu Tousignant and Mike Liambas. Even though Wathier and Liambas both usually play the left side LW.
I will miss Kevin Henderson. He was a smart veteran in the AHL and hard working.
Wathier is a similar kind of player, with NHL experience.
This seems like a pretty smart decision on the part of both franchises. Certainly Kevin Henderson will be missed in an Admirals jersey. He was a huge part of the success of last year’s team and could be argued was that team’s first half MVP. He then handled himself very well in Nashville in his surprising call up. Henderson seemed to be growing into a everyday NHL player, kind of along the lines of Vern Fiddler.
Then, for whatever reason, he fizzled this year and became a sort of non-existant member of the Admirals. That is an unfair over generalization, but it became pretty clear that a change of scenery would be beneficial for Henderson because having him be a healthy scratch in Milwaukee was not helping anyone.
In this swap the Admirals get a character player in Francis Wathier, who garnered less favor under Lindy Ruff’s regime in Dallas, and also needed a change. Unfortunately, other than his fight card, and his little bit of NHL experience, I can’t say I know too much about him, but he seems pretty well-regarded.
I looking forward to seeing what Wathier can do in Milwaukee given the opportunity. I’m also curious if the roughness of this past weekend with Rockford played into this decision at all?