New York Islanders: Jordan Eberle UFA Value Continues To Drop

After this season, New York Islanders forward, Jordan Eberle is set to become a UFA. His value continues to decrease with each passing day.

Jordan Eberle had a great first season with the New York Islanders. Playing alongside Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier, he put up 59 points with 25 goals to go along with it. The Ryan Strome for Jordan Eberle trade was looking fantastic.

This year, it was assumed that he would again give the Islanders around 25 goals and somewhere above the 50 point margin. So far, in 67 games he only has 30 points and 13 goals. For Eberle, his poor season couldn’t come at a worse time.

Eberle is set to become a UFA for the first time in his career on July 1, 2019. His current cap hit is $6 million and going into this year a raise would’ve been expected. For example, look at Evander Kane’s contract with San Jose.

He got seven-years $49 million ($7 million AAV). If Eberle had another season with 25 goals and 55 points he would likely see a contract with similar term and around the same AAV. But after a significant downgrade, a pace of 35 points, what kind of contract will he get?

It’s hard to predict what kind of contract he will receive this summer. Again, before this season I would’ve said six-years $42 million is all but guaranteed for Eberle. Now, perhaps a short term prove it deal would make the most sense?

A one or two-year prove it deal with a $5 million AAV with hopes that he figures it out in his age 29 season might make sense. If this is the new Eberle (somewhere between 30 and 40 points) you can’t justify paying him upwards of $6 million per year. It’s too much of a risk.

This would almost be like a “show me” deal. If he puts up 34 points again next year, you know it’s likely over for him (in terms of a big payday). If he goes back to being a 50 or 60 point player a longer-term deal with money at or around $6 million per sounds right.

The moral of the story is that Eberle’s poor season will likely cost him millions of dollars this July. It just goes to show how important a contract season could be for a player.