Who the Minnesota Wild Should Sign in Free Agency (2 of 5)

11. Jordan Eberle (86pts)

Wow. What a season of mixed expectations and unsuspecting performance by the Islanders. Tavares left the Island and everyone had checked out on any chance of the Islanders being successful immediately. However, new Stanley Cup Champion Coach Barry Trotz was not resigned in Washinton (for whatever reason?) and New York pounced on the opportunity. Trotz turned the team into a defensive juggernaut and helped facilitate the resurgence of Robin Lehner’s career (although he might have just needed to get out of Buffalo). Three players who helped build the Islanders immediate unexpected success: Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, and Jordan Eberle.

Jordan Eberle, at 29 years old, 5′ 11″, and 187lbs, the right-winger comes in 11th out of 15. Eberle began his career in tandem with Taylor Hall in Edmonton and was believed to be apart of the new renaissance when the Oilers won yet another lotto draft and got the promised one, Connor McDavid. Much to the dismay of the Oilers faithful, Jordan Eberle was traded to the greener pastures of the New York Islanders and the last season of the Tavares era on Long Island. His first season there, he netted 25 goals and 34 assists, and in his second, netted 19 goals and 18 assists. The drop-off between his most recent seasons is mildly concerning, but again 2017: Tavares is on the Island; 2018: Pajama Boy is born. Also, the Islanders went from 8th in Goals For in 2017 to 21st in Goals For in 2018, so the drop off isn’t that shocking.

Eberle has had two seasons with playoff experience, his first in 2016/17 with Edmonton where he played 13 games, scored zero goals and two assists, and his second in 2018/2019 with the Islanders where he scored 4 goals and 5 assists in 8 games. Jordan has had fairly consistent season stat lines, hovering around the 23 goal mark, with his highest total being 34 in his sophomore season and his lowest being 18 in his rookie year. He averages 23 goals per year and has shown to be extremely durable, failing to play more than 50 games only once.

Also, he’s a right-handed shot, something the Minnesota Wild desperately need. His scouting report states:

"“Has outstanding goal-scoring instincts and a nose for the net. He is also a capable setup man. Never takes a shift off. His shot is very accurate. Plays with a keen awareness of the ice at all times. Lacks size, so he isn’t always capable of winning corner battles with regularity at the National Hockey League level. He also needs more strength and to work on his defensive-zone coverage. His Long Term Potential is a Quality Scoring Winger.” Fairly good assessment."

Jordan Eberle’s most recent contract was 6-years in length, worth $36M (AAV of $6M) and arguably he earned every dollar of his contract. He could certainly earn a similar contract in AAV, but I wouldn’t believe the Wild would sign him to the same length. Should the Wild sign him to a 6-year deal, he would end his contract at 35. He would be the seventh 30+-year-old player on the team, joining Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Eric Staal, Devin Dubnyk, and Alex Stalock. That said, I believe Paul Fenton will offer Eberle a contract. My guess would be around $5.5M to $6.25M AAV for 4 years. I would imagine he would want some sort of trade protection as he enters the latter stages of his career, and therefore, would be willing to take a bit more cap friendly contract.