Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on the Jordan Eberle for Ryan Strome trade.
Todd Cordell
I love this deal for the Islanders. Jordan Eberle's perceived value took a hit this year but he dealt with horrible luck and still registered 20 goals, 51 points. Had he shot his career average heading into the year -- 14.1% -- we'd be looking at a 29-goal, 60 point season. I doubt Edmonton would have been pushing him out the door then. Since joining the NHL, Eberle has averaged 62 points per 82 games and I expect that kind of production to continue while riding shot-gun with prime John Tavares.
I see why the Oilers made the trade -- Ryan Strome is a pretty good player and they cleared $3.5 million -- but I don't love it from their perspective, especially when you consider the money they saved is going to be handed to Kris Russell in short order.
James Tanner
Oh man, what a hilarious trade! Almost a year since Peter Chiarelli made one of the worst trades ever, he follows it up with one close to as bad.
Eberle is a way better player than Strome by any measure. Sure, he had a bad 12 game playoff run, but he's still a consistent scorer in a league where it's really hard to be a consistent scorer.
I don't really know what to say, I just feel bad for the Oilers fans who had to watch a last place team for a decade and now have Peter Chiarelli running their team.
I don't even know if you can spin this in a good way since they'll almost certainly blow the savings on Kris Russell.
Ugh.
Adam French
I really like this deal for both teams, but I give a slight edge to the Islanders.
The Islanders have been missing that top-line caliber forward to play with John Tavares since he entered the league. Tavares has brought out the best of a whole host of bad to mediocre situations. From the "bad" like Matt Moulson and PA Parenteau. To the "mediocre" like Nikolay Kulemin and Josh Bailey. The best line mate he has ever had was Kyle Okposo and from the way Islanders fans bemoaned his inconsistencies it clearly wasn't the best fit.
Andrew Ladd was brought in as a potential solution and that fell flat. Ryan Strome himself was supposed to be either their second line option or riding shotgun with JT...and that never materialized.
Jordan Eberle despite his abysmal playoffs has been a consistent "on pace" 60 point player. Even in the worst season of his career, he still managed 20 goals and 51 points. Which is still higher than Strome's career high 17 goal 50 point season.
The Islanders need to prove to Tavares that they can be competitive. This is a move that not only gives them the better player this upcoming season, it also opens up room for Beauvillier and Ho-Sang to move up the lineup.
Why I like this for the Oilers? Strome is still relatively young turning 24 in a month. He has shown that he can be a decent winger when given the chance. He should be relatively cheap being an RFA and coming off a very dubious season. That should save 3ish million from exchanging him and Eberle. Obviously if this money goes to Kris Russell with that rumoured 4 mil and 4 years deal...it's slightly more dicey. This move opens up a spot for Pulallallajarvaiaiia in the top-6 which is nice. Edmonton will be an interesting team with that group of forwards. Do they keep Draisaitl at centre? Does that keep RNH at the 3 spot?
Maroon-McDavid-Strome
Lucic-Draisaitl-Puljujärvi
Slepyshev-RNH-Kassian
Caggiula-Letestu-Khaira/Pouliot/Pakarinen
Potential for one "tough" player and two "skilled" players per line.
Peter Tessier
It was a curious move for the Oilers but haven't we come to expect that with them? Let's be honest this is getting their salary cap in line for the impending Russell, McDavid and Draisaitl deals that will solid their cap issues for years to come.
Is it the best move for the team in terms of on-ice play? We'll see but for Eberle's sake, it was certainly time he got to be on a team that was going to appreciate him and not consider him trade bait every year.
Hopefully it works out for him in NY, as for Strome. Is Edmonton the place you want to go for reclamation projects?
Recent posts
Thoughts on the Drouin/Sergachev trade?
Which trade candidates would you target?
Which trade candidates would you avoid?
Best fit for Evander Kane?
Best trade match for Eberle and the Oilers?
Who is the best defenseman on the Predators?
Where do the Capitals go from here?
Join the Discussion:
»