Oilers Must Target Jordan Eberle for Stanley Cup Push Amid NHL Trade Deadline Rumors
The Edmonton Oilers already bolstered their roster before the trade deadline, adding coveted forward Adam Henrique and teammate Sam Carrick, both from Anaheim. The Western Conference fifth seed may not be finished, either.
Nor should they be.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported that the Oilers are in the mix to acquire Seattle Kraken right winger Jordan Eberle if the 33-year-old does not sign an extension with the team.
Eberle has 37 points this season (14 goals, 23 assists) and it is not out of the realm of possibility that he can hit the 50-point threshold. He is seeing the ice for 17:05 per game and since the All-Star break, has pummeled the net to the tune of 34 shots.
If he cannot get a deal done with the Kraken, and the decision is made to make him available for a trade, the Oilers should jump at the opportunity to add him to the mix and solidify the team's top six.
Edmonton has watched their divisional foes and defending Stanley Cup champions the Vegas Golden Knights get better ahead of the deadline by adding top defender Noah Hanifin and a right wing of their own in Anthony Matha.
Adding Eberle provides depth and gives the team an additional threat to score; one that has been ferocious at the net. That Eberle is on an expiring contract and carries a cap hit of $5.5 million makes him more affordable than he would have been with multiple years left on the deal.
Eberle is an excellent stick handler and skater who could immediately upgrade a right side that already includes Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, and Corey Perry, with Derek Ryan expected back shortly.
It is another move, like the additions of Henrique and Carrick, that proves the team is willing to put the pieces around their all-world center, Connor McDavid, and make a run at the postseason and, more importantly, the team's first Stanley Cup since 1990.
Affordable, skilled, and heating up at the right time, Eberle would appear to be a low-risk, high-reward addition to Edmonton that would allow them the opportunity to at least say they made an effort to surround McDavid with talent to maximize his own.
