New York Islanders Trading For Jordan Eberle Makes More Sense

If the New York Islanders want to improve they are going to have to make a trade. One rumor makes more sense over the other.

In a recent report, there was a trade rumor saying that the New York Islanders could be trading Travis Hamonic for either Jordan Eberle or Matt Duchene. Both would be a major improvement for the Isles forward group but one name makes more sense over the other.

The Islanders played the Matt Duchene game at the deadline this past year. Joe Sakic‘s asking price was way too high. It wouldn’t have just been Travis Hamonic for Duchene straight up, the Isles likely would have had to throw in Mathew Barzal and this year’s first round selection.

That’s a lot for a guy like Duchene and I would be hard pressed to think that Sakic’s asking price has come down. Whereas Jordan Eberle’s name has been circulating for a while and it seems like Edmonton is the one’s initiating.

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Last year there was a lot of debate on whether or not the Isles should’ve traded Travis Hamonic for Taylor Hall. It ended up not happening and it kind of bit the Islanders in the butt as they struggled with depth scoring at times.

Would the Oilers be willing to accept Hamonic for Eberle straight up? Probably not because it isn’t 2015 anymore but the asking price doesn’t seem to be as astronomical as Duchene’s was. Which makes it more likely to happen, rather than the Isles going back down the Duchene road.

When you compare the numbers between Eberle and Duchene they are pretty similar. Over the last three years, Eberle has averaged 54 points a year while Duchene has averaged 52. They both even have the same cap hit over the next two years which is $6 million a year.
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The one difference is that Duchene is a center and Eberle is a right wing. Other than Josh Ho-Sang the Islanders don’t really have depth at right wing. Sure, Josh Bailey played some last year but he’s a lefty so ideally, you’d want him on the left wing.

If the Islanders traded for Eberle they could have a top line of Anders Lee – John Tavares – Jordan Eberle which would be a big upgrade from their already underrated top-line. Whereas if you trade for Duchene he’s probably anchoring that second line, which is fine, but then you wouldn’t be getting that coveted wing for Tavares.

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I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing in Duchene, on the right deal, it just seems like all signs are pointing to Eberle being the more likely option.

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