Feb 24, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle (14) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Oilers defeated the Wild 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Eberle
by Thomas Formoso
Why take a risk on a draft pick when you can have someone as close to, if not already, a proven winger in Jordan Eberle?
I would trade away the New Jersey Devils’ first overall pick for Jordan Eberle in a heartbeat. You don’t have to look far to find multiple reasons, whether it be highlights or stats. 43, 76, 37, 65, 44. Those are the point totals in his NHL career to this point. Just a note, the 37 was in the lockout-shortened season and the 44 is for this season.
Here’s a scouting report from Elite Prospects:
"A small sniping winger who relies on his smarts and hockey sense to score goals. Always seems to find the open ice around the net, and scores big goals. Isn’t the best skater, though, and lacks size. (EP 2009)"
That was his scouting report in 2009. Since then, Eberle has evolved into a dangerous threat in front of goal, a phenomenal passer and some sick hockey sense. Eberle always finds himself in the perfect position. He can score goals and set other players up in golden opportunities. New Jersey could be getting the best of both worlds in Eberle. The Devils need a young forward with a tremendous amount of potential and Eberle definitely has that.
The asking price will certainly be high from Edmonton. They are going to want a young forward prospect (Boucher, Whitney, Matteau), this year’s first and a young defender (Gelinas, possibly even Larsson). Edmonton may even want more picks out of Eberle. This trade would largely become dependent on the asking price, but if you want to strip it down to this year’s first for conversation’s sake, I would gladly give it up for Eberle.
Why take another chance in a drafted forward under Lamoriello when you can already have a proven commodity?
Next: There's Another Winger In EDM As Well