The New York Islanders experienced what it was like to lose a big name to free agency this summer when they were spurned by John Tavares and his decision to join the Toronto Maple Leafs. That doesn’t mean that new GM Lou Lamoriello is rushing into any other extension talks. Speaking with reporters including Brian Compton of NHL.com, Jordan Eberle indicated that he hadn’t yet spoken to the Islanders about a potential extension as he enters the final season of his current contract:
To be honest I haven’t had any conversations with anybody. Going into the summer I was trying to focus on me and being the best I can be, and come into the camp the best I can be. Once that happens you start trying to fill a role and try to make this team as good as it can be.
Eberle, 28, has been an extremely consistent offensive performer through his career and recorded 25 goals and 59 points last season for the Islanders. After coming over in a trade from the Edmonton Oilers, the talented winger posted his fifth consecutive 20+ goal season and earned his $6MM cap hit. Still, as he heads into the last year of his deal he has a lot to prove about whether he can be a part of a playoff contender. During his seven years in Edmonton, Eberle reached the postseason just once and was held goalless in 13 games. After missing the postseason tournament again last season with the Islanders, there will be some who doubt his worth as a top-six player in the league.
Still, with Blake Wheeler signing an extension today the crop of talented 2019 UFA forwards got a little smaller. Artemi Panarin and Tyler Seguin are still the big headliners of the group of pending free agents, but Eberle could find himself near the top of the heap after a few more extensions this season. For one thing he’ll still be just 29 when he is scheduled to hit the open market, and has shown a 30-goal ability in the past. James van Riemsdyk, who has just 11 more career goals than Eberle in 21 more games, received a five-year $35MM deal from the Philadelphia Flyers when he reached free agency this summer at age-29. A contract like that is certainly possible, but the Islanders forward would do himself a world of help if he dragged New York to the playoffs this season.
The Islanders do have a few big decisions to make up front, given that Eberle, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee will all be unrestricted free agents next summer. With long-term deals handed out to Andrew Ladd, Josh Bailey, Cal Clutterbuck and Leo Komarov, the Islanders are already somewhat locked into this group being the one that has to take them to the next level. Handing out extensions may not be the most prudent thing to do at the moment even if Eberle and Lee are key parts of the offensive attack.