Jordan Eberle

Eberle was one of the more recognizable names selected by the Kraken in the expansion draft, although his first season with the club produced mixed results. On a positive note, Eberle posted 20-plus goals (21) for the seventh time in his career, while also seeing a bump in playing time, particularly with the man advantage. More concerning was his minus-28 rating, by far his worst mark to date. Part of that was due to the fact Seattle was a bad team, but Eberle, at age 32, seems far more floor than ceiling from a fantasy perspective heading into the 2022-23 campaign.

Eberle's tenure as an Islander ended after four seasons when he was selected by the Kraken in July's expansion draft. The 31-year-old winger will be one of the most recognizable names for the team. A big question for the Kraken revolves around a lack of center depth -- with Yanni Gourde (shoulder) out for at least a month to begin the year, the top option down the middle is Alexander Wennberg. No offense to Wennberg, but he's no Mathew Barzal. Eberle has only topped 50 points once in his last four seasons on a defense-first Islanders team, so he might be given a bit more freedom in Seattle, but it remains to be seen if he can get back to his previous level of offense. He should be locked in as a member of the top power-play unit, which should give him a safe floor around the 40-point mark overall.

It's pretty easy to miss Eberle until the last minute of games, but he's quietly carved out a career as a reliable, second-line winger who's notched 518 points since his rookie season, which ranks 30th in the league over that span (2010-20). Except for the rare down year, Eberle is a good bet to score 20 goals and 40-50 points every season, especially if he can continue to play with franchise center Mat Barzal. There's not much upside beyond that, so Eberle shouldn't be a target until the later rounds.

In addition to re-signing Anders Lee, the Islanders kept Eberle in the fold by signing him to a five-year deal worth $27.5 million in June. The 29-year-old took a step back last year during his second season with the Islanders, scoring 19 goals and 37 points while posting a minus-6 rating in 78 games, but he experienced a terrific postseason, notching four goals and nine points in eight playoff contests. It's dangerous to draft players based on postseason performances, but Eberle's play against the Penguins and Hurricanes should give owners hope that his 2018-19 regular season was a fluke. The former Oiler has recorded at least 20 goals and 40 points in every other season since the 2013 lockout, which supports that notion. His 160 shots on net were also his fewest since 2013. Eberle is a prime candidate to bounce back in 2019-20, but don't draft him too early based on his postseason numbers.

Even though he skated minimally on the top line with John Tavares, Eberle experienced a successful first season with the Islanders, recording 25 goals for his fifth straight 20-goal campaign to complement 59 total points. Better yet, Eberle achieved those numbers despite receiving a career low in average ice time at 16:04. Tavares leaving for the Maple Leafs hurts the entire Islanders organization, but Eberle has had great success next to rookie center Mathew Barzal. The Islanders should keep those two together and move them to the top unit this season. Another 20-goal and 50-point season is in the cards for Eberle.

While Eberle delivered a fairly credible campaign for Edmonton in 2016-17 -- 20 goals and 51 points with his first positive rating (plus-3) in five seasons -- it was well short of his old 60-plus-point ways, and his tendency to disappear for stretches of time ultimately wrote his ticket out of town. The Oilers surely had Eberle's pathetic playoff performance (two assists scattered over 13 games) in mind when they dealt him to the Islanders straight up for Ryan Strome over the summer, and maybe the change of scenery will do him good. He’s slated to serve as the first-line right winger alongside John Tavares, which isn't quite as great as playing with Connor McDavid, but it isn't a bad consolation prize, especially with Tavares likely to be highly motivated in a contract season. Kyle Okposo delivered a 22-goal, 42-assist campaign in that role two years ago before departing for Buffalo, and that's not an unreasonable goal for the highly talented Eberle in 2017-18.

Eberle’s 145 goals in 425 career games put him on pace for 28 per season, and his likely position as Edmonton’s first-line right wing on a line with Connor McDavid and Milan Lucic suggests that number should be well in reach for the 2008 first-rounder. Improving his two-way play should be the primary goal after three straight seasons of double-digit-negative ratings, but that doesn’t have to come at the expense of his gaudy offensive numbers. Eberle has also stayed largely injury-free in his first six NHL campaigns, making him a safe pick with plenty of upside. Health permitting, 60-plus points should be no problem, and his slotting alongside McDavid offers Eberle the potential for even more than that.

Has Eberle already peaked? That’s a tough call. He has so much talent, but he’s delivered at a low-to-mid-60s point pace for three straight seasons. His upside is clearly higher, but at 25, how far can his game grow? Then again, his team has, in a word, stunk, so it’s been hard for him to enhance his game when he’s been under pressure to do so much. Entering 2015-16, the team has improved dramatically, and Eberle will finally get consistent time with centerman Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. They clearly have a connection and both drive possession. And that could -- potentially -- get him back above the 70-point hurdle.

Eberle is part of one of the best young lines in the NHL; that is, when he, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall are all healthy at the same time. Eberle has only scored 44 goals over the last two seasons combined (including the lockout-shortened year), after netting 34 during the 2011-12 campaign. Part of the reason for this decline can be attributed to the team's struggles on the back end, as it's hard to score when your defenders can't get the puck out of their own zone. Things are starting to look up for the Oilers' D, but it remains a work in progress. Still, Eberle should flirt with the 30-goal mark again this season and has upside to hit the 40 in the next couple years.

Eberle's numbers were a little off last season after his breakout 2011-12 campaign. Still, this is a 30-plus goal scorer playing on one of the best young lines in the NHL. Yum. Eberle should be taken early in drafts as scoring wingers will go off the board quickly. Playing on the top line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall should give the trio plenty of scoring opportunities assuming they can all stay healthy, and Eberle's career bests could easily get a boost.

Eberle's sophomore season was a big success as he scored 34 goals and 42 assists in 78 games. He plays on a top line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall, a line that's one of the best up-and-coming trios in the NHL. Eberle should only get better as all three players gain much needed experience. Eberle fell through the cracks in some fantasy drafts last season, but that time has come to an end. He'll be off the board early.

Though Eberle had a solid rookie campaign with 18 goals and 43 points, he should certainly improve in his sophomore season. The centerman will get to know the league better, and the Oilers are starting to acquire more talent which will only help Eberle. Slotted for the second line, Eberle has a high ceiling and could eventually top the 30-goal mark in a season.

Eberle scored 50 goals and had 106 points in 57 games last season for the Regina Pats. He may be the type of player who can not only light the lamp, but put fans in the seats for Edmonton. Eberle has the look of a 40-plus goal scorer, but that may take a season or two to come to fruition. The Oilers have been taking it slow with Eberle not wanting to rush him to the NHL, but after being named the Canadian Hockey League Player of the year, the time may be now for both Edmonton and Eberle. If he's not ready for the NHL, Eberle will start the year in the AHL with the Oilers' affiliate in Oklahoma City.

Eberle was the Oilers' first-round draft choice in 2008 and played last season in junior hockey. He is only 19 years of age and it's still uncertain if he is ready for the jump to the NHL. Eberle is a talented and fast offensive player whose future lies as a 40-goal scorer in the NHL. He is certainly someone to keep an eye on especially in keeper leagues.