The New York Islanders have not begun talks with Jordan Eberle regarding a contract extension.
Jordan Eberle is one of many players who has arrived on Long Island ahead of training camp. Speaking to the media after an informal skate on Tuesday at Northwell Health Ice Center (the Islanders’ official practice facility), Eberle told Brian Compton of NHL.com that he and the Isles have yet to have any talks on a new contract.
“To be honest I haven’t had any conversations with anybody,” Eberle told Compton. “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 is coming off his first season with the New York Islanders after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Edmonton Oilers. In his inaugural season with the Isles, Eberle scored 25 goals and 59 points in 81 games playing mainly on the second line alongside Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier.
The 28-year-old has one more year left on his six-year deal worth $36 million signed with the Oilers in August of 2012. If no deal is reached between him and the Isles by July 1, Eberle will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) for the first time in his career.
Eberle isn’t the only Islander scheduled to hit free agency on July 1. Joining him on the pending UFA list is Anders Lee, Robin Lehner, Jan Kovar, Brock Nelson, Valtteri Filppula, and Tom Kühnhackl.
For better or worse, the team has changed this season. In comes a new guy calling the shots (Lou Lamoriello) and a top-notch coaching staff headlined by Barry Trotz but out comes John Tavares.
“It’s obviously a loss for our team, but you’ve got to move on,” Eberle told Compton regarding the departure of Tavares. “I think we’re kind of put in a category right now where we’re kind of the underdog role, and sometimes that’s good to be. You look at a team like maybe New Jersey last year, who had similar expectations coming in, and look how well they did. Sometimes you play better without that added pressure. We’ve got enough guys to fill depth here, and guys are going to fill in and we’ll be fine.”
Eberle and the Islanders have been able to sign an extension since July 1, 2018, and their deadline will be exactly one year later on July 1, 2019, otherwise, Eberle becomes a free agent for any team to sign.
