New York Islanders First Line Winger Jordan Eberle Deep Dive

The New York Islanders finally made a move that’s been rumored for almost two seasons now. Now that Eberle is an Islanders player, what’s he all about?

The New York Islanders traded Ryan Strome to the Edmonton Oilers the day after the NHL Expansion Draft and in return got Jordan Eberle. One of two players the New York Islanders have been linked to for two offseasons now.

But what’s Eberle all about? What are the Islanders getting from the former Edmonton Oiler exactly?

We’ve seen the clutch goals for Team Canada back in his junior days. But that was just over eight years ago. What has Eberle done since then?

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

To The Numbers!

Isles stats man Eric Hornick had a great tweet to start things off. Since joining the league in the 2008 draft Eberle ranks second in his draft class in terms of goals and third in terms of points.

Eric indicates that Eberle is second in points, with 382 points in seven NHL seasons. But when you look at the 2008 draft class and their points totals you’ll notice that second actually belongs to Erik Karlsson.

So I’m going to assume he meant forwards only. But consider that. Eberle is third in terms of points in his draft class, only bested by Steven Stamkos and Erik Karlsson.

Since coming into the league in 2010-11 Eberle has put up three 60+ point season. Eberle lead the Oilers in points on two separate occasions in 2010-11 and in 2011-12.

On that alone, the Isles are getting a top line forward in Eberle. So why did the Oilers let him go for reclamation project, Ryan Strome?

Must Read: Top 5 Ryan Strome Moments As An Islander

The Decline…Sorta

After those two team-leading seasons the Oilers rewarded Eberle with a six-year $36 million deal. With Leon Drisaitl an RFA this season and with Conor McDavid a year away the Oilers needed to make some space. That’s reason one.

The second is Eberle’s decrease in production. In those two team-leading seasons Eberle scored 76 points in 78 games and 37 points in 48 games.

But since then his production has gone down year after year. From his .974 points per game in 2011-12 to .622 points per games this past season.

But don’t despair Islanders fans. We aren’t getting an overpriced player that isn’t going to produce again, like Andrew Ladd.

Just look at Jordan Eberle’s skater v. player archetype graph (or HERO chart to some) I pulled from Own the Puck. Against the NHL average, Eberle is still a first line winger. His only shortcoming seems to be shot suppression at 5on5.

His ice time and first assists are lower than the average, but you’d have to imagine that his ice time will immediately go up with the Islanders and that his first assists will get a bump with Tavares as his center.

Next: Travis Hamonic Traded to Calgary Flames

The New York Islanders needed a first line winger going into the 2017-18 season and they got one in Jordan Eberle. Fingers crossed he and John Tavares can get back to that 28 points in six games from 2009. Is it October yet?