New York Islanders didn’t want to let their winger Jordan Eberle hit the free agency next month. Instead, the team offered Eberle a five-year deal to keep him with the franchise and the 29-year-old decided to accept the offer.
The deal, which will keep Eberle in New York until 2025, is reportedly worth $27.5 million.
“I like the direction the Islanders are going,” – Eberle told reporters after inking the deal. “From day one, my mindset was to try and get a deal done.”
After also giving Brock Nelson a six-year, $36 million, contract recently, Islanders managed to keep two important pieces on the team for years to come. Still, their job isn’t finished, as captain Anders Lee is hitting the free agency soon.
Eberle said that he will make a hard pitch to keep Lee with the organization, but that he will also respect any decision his teammate makes.
“Ultimately it’ll be up to his decision,” – Eberle added. “Anders is on his own path. No one can really blame him for taking his time or going to free agency. He’s earned the right to that.”
Jordan Eberle just finished his second season with the Islanders, in which he contributed 19 goals and 18, tying his career-worst point total. Still, Eberle came through big in 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, as he helped the team to sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round by scoring a goal in each of the four games.
Eberle’s NHL career stats include 666 played games and 209 goals scored alongside 269 assists.
