Jordan Eberle is one of the New York Islanders top forwards. The winger may be on his way out following the 2018-19 season. Recently surfacing, talks between the player and management in regards to a contract extension have been minimal.
Jordan Eberle Contract Extension Not Close
Shared by IslandersPointBlank (@IslandersPB) on Twitter this afternoon,
Islanders’ Jordan Eberle says contract extension has not been discussed https://t.co/8f31MeSPJH pic.twitter.com/6NMfxELxms
— IslandersPointBlank (@IslandersPB) September 4, 2018
Eberle is entering the final year of his contract with the Islanders. The contract came over to New York with him when the Islanders acquired the forward in 2017. He signed the deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
Eberle played to his strengths during his first season with the Islanders. In 81 games Eberle scored 59 points, including 25 goals. These are his most proficient numbers since the 2012-13 season when he was a part of the Oilers organization.
There, of course, has been a drastic overhaul with the Islanders franchise as of late. Eberle has said he is open to another opportunity to prove why he belongs.
“I think there’s going to be some competition in camp and that always makes your team better, and myself included, you want to be a part of that. You want to be able to prove yourself.” via NHL.com
Comparable contracts that Eberle and his agents will be looking at include that of Paul Stastny. In 19 games with the Winnipeg Jets, he put up 13 points by way of four goals and nine assists. These totals were good enough for another western conference team to take notice. In the off-season, Stastny signed a three-year, $6.5 million per year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. A younger forward, Eberle may get a longer term on his deal.
Eberle’s Time to Shine
With the recent departure of franchise forward John Tavares, the ice is wide open for Eberle. Eberle finished fifth in Islanders’ scoring last season, behind the likes of Anders Lee, Josh Bailey, Mathew Barzal, and Tavares.
New York is hitting the ice this season with seemingly low expectations. Despite the new front office, the team itself is entering a new era. The post-Tavares era will contain challenges and Eberle’s production is important in overcoming them. There are low expectations going into the season and the new look Islanders should be beneficial for Eberle. It allows him to focus on his game during the 2018-19 season.
Contract talks for Eberle are currently non-existent. A solid start to his second campaign with the Islanders will be important. Should his one ice performance fit the bill, the phone will begin to ring. If a deal cannot be agreed, and the Islanders are not fighting for a playoff spot, he could be gone at the trade deadline.
Main Photo: New York, NY – October 19: Jordan Eberle #7 of the New York Islanders scores on Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers in their overtime shootout during their game at Madison Square Garden on October 19, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
