Eberle opens up on Edmonton media and trade that shipped him to Islanders

The former Oilers sniper is back and he’s not pulling any punches.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Eberle opens up on Edmonton media and trade that shipped him to Islanders
Zuma Press

Former Edmonton Oilers winger Jordan Eberle returns to Edmonton tonight as he and his New York Islanders continue their playoff push at Rogers Place tonight at 7pm.

Eberle is having a remarkable renaissance season in Brooklyn, NY following last offseason’s trade for winger Ryan Strome. The 27-year-old Eberle has 23 goals and 47 points in just 66 games with the Islanders, following a 20 goal, 51 point campaign in 82 games last season with the Oilers. Meanwhile Strome has struggled to find consistency in his first season with the Oilers, managing just 12 goals and 31 points in 66 games.

Yesterday Eberle met with the Edmonton media for the first time following his offseason trade and opened up on his time in Edmonton and the trade that sent him across the continent.



"The [Edmonton] media has never been unfair. They just (tell it) like it is. If you’re not playing well, they’re going to tell you.”

Wow… how’s that for a refreshing take on the Edmonton media? All we typically hear from the players is that the Edmonton media is brutally hard on players, particularly those who have been traded, and constantly sides with management and ownership. Now the Edmonton media is “fair”? Alright then…

Regardless, it’s hard to take issue with Eberle. At least he’s not throwing his former team under the bus like New Jersey Devils superstar Taylor Hall seems to take so much joy in these days. 

In an exclusive interview with The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, Eberle opens up on his time in Edmonton and how he’s moving on and moving forward with the Islanders.

On the city of Edmonton:

“I loved my time there, had a great time. As I’ve always said, they gave me a chance to play. My wife loved it too, a lot of friends are still there.”

On the Oilers’ struggles in 2017-18:

“I don’t really have any take on it. Still have buddies over there, it’s never fun to see them go through that. I’ve gone through that there and it’s not fun. Other than that, I’ve been focusing on playing here, focusing on my game, so I don’t really have any grudge towards them or happiness about what’s going on there.”

On Islanders rookie Matthew Barzal:

"He reminds me a little bit of (Connor) McDavid, the way he creates room for himself with his speed. I don’t want to compare the two because they’re different players, but in the way that they’re both tremendous passers and they’re going to find you if you can get open. It’s been fun."

On tonight’s return to Edmonton and playing his old teammates:

"All in all, it’s still a game and we need the two points. I take it as that approach. It was nice to play them at home early on to get that out of the way. Early in that game it felt weird, but then it settled in so [Thursday] I don’t expect anything different."

For the full interview, check out the link below: