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New York Islanders Jordan Eberle Tradable For Right Return

By Michel Anderson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Jordan Eberle #7 of the New York Islanders reacts after officials ruled his shot a goal after the St. Louis Blues challenged the call during the first period of the game at Barclays Center on January 15, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. This was Eberle's 200th goal. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Jordan Eberle #7 of the New York Islanders reacts after officials ruled his shot a goal after the St. Louis Blues challenged the call during the first period of the game at Barclays Center on January 15, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. This was Eberle's 200th goal. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders forward Jordan Eberle is in the final year of his deal. He likely won’t return as a member of the Islanders. They could trade him by the trade deadline, but for the right return.

Every hockey outlet has its own trade board as we crawl to the NHL trade deadline. For the Hockey News, that trade board includes New York Islanders forward Jordan Eberle (ranked 24th of 30 players).

The Hockey News isn’t wrong in having Eberle on the list. The forward acquired from the Edmonton Oilers for Ryan Strome is in the final year of his $6 million AAV deal. As a borderline 60 point player its hard to see the Islanders giving him a raise.

But with the Islanders at the top of their division and headed for the playoffs its hard to see them cash in on a top-six forward for the typical trade deadline haul of picks and prospects. Unless the New York Islanders can get a top-six player back, Eberle isn’t going anywhere.

Adding Quality

Jordan Eberle hasn’t had the same type of season we saw from him in 2017-18. With 26 points in 52 games, he’s on pace for 39 points. Well off from the 59 he scored last season.

Even with that drop-off though, Jordan Eberle is a top-six player in the NHL. He has the creativity, skill, and the ability to perform. Trading Jordan Eberle for futures would be an odd move for a team looking to compete this year and into the future.

If the Islanders were to move Eberle for futures they could bring Josh Ho-Sang up from the AHL to play in the top-six. But it’s hard to see the Islanders putting their faith in Josh Ho-Sang after he’s a healthy scratch at the AHL level.

The Islanders need to add more quality to their top six and if they’re committed to losing Jordan Eberle as a free agent on July 1 it makes sense to use him to upgrade their roster. And there’s no shortage of options in the market.

If Jordan Eberle is truly on the trade block, the return for the New York Islanders has to be a top-six forward of better quality. I’m talking about Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, or even Jeff Skinner (if he’s also actually on the block).

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The New York Islanders have the pieces to bring in a big name player at the deadline, and maybe Jordan Eberle is a big piece of a package to get one. But anything less than a top-six player for Eberle would be a bad idea.

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