Red Wings: 4 players to target in a trade due to flat salary cap
By Bob Heyrman
Winger- Jordan Eberle
The New York Islanders are set to enter next season with $71 million accounting for 18 players. That leaves the organization $10 million to fill out their roster, but one major issue looms; superstar forward Mathew Barzal is a pending free agent.
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General Manager Lou Lamoriello will need to cautiously navigate his way through the offseason, trying to entice the 23-year old star to take a team-friendly bridge-deal before landing a massive, lucrative extension as soon as the salary cap increases.
It’s extremely risky for a player like Barzal to consider less while his stock remains sky-high. Players always risk injury, something the young forward may not want to chance.
The Islanders will also need to either call-up some players from their minor league affiliate to round out their roster, and potentially trade a high-priced player such as Jordan Eberle.
Jordan Eberle does have a no-trade clause attached to his brand-new five-year deal, so he may not waive it for the worst team in the league. Eberle is now 30-years old, in the first year of that four-year deal that averages $5.5 million per season.
After recording a whopping 76 points in his second NHL season with the Edmonton Oilers, Eberle’s struggled to mirror that same success. He’s averaged a mere 45 points over his last three seasons. This past season the 30-year old veteran forward recorded 16 goals and totaled 40 points. Eberle notched an above-average 52.2% Corsi For Percentage last year.
Eberle would make for a beautiful veteran forward with some tread left on his tires, unlike Valtteri Filppula and Frans Nielsen to skate as a top-six forward over the next few seasons with Detroit. He’d be an excellent fit skating on Detroit’s second line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Robby Fabbri.
Next. 3 restricted free agents to avoid re-signing. dark
If Eberle has no interest in waiving his no-trade clause, the Red Wings may consider targeting 30-year old Josh Bailey, who earns $5 million per season with four years left on his deal. Other options are roles players like Casey Cizikas or Cal Clutterbuck.