Quote:
Originally Posted by Aarongavey
So I am not sure why a NHL GM would give up assets for Eberle when he could get Oshie for free and likely cheaper. Oshie is better offensively, better defensively and better in the playoffs.
If they don't get Oshie, I am not sure why they would not get the following RW's for free on the free agent market
Patrick Eaves - 32 goals last year
Radulov - 54 points last year
Jagr - 46 points last year
Stafford - 8 goals in 58 games
Justin Williams - 24 goals
Vrbata - 20 goals
Parenteau - 13 goals
Connolly - 15 goals
Pitlick - 8 goals in 31 games
All of those guys would likely cost less than Eberle and would not cost a team any assets
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The only guys on the list that are really comparable to Eberle are Radulov and Oshie.
I'll be surprised if they both don't get $6 million in free agency this year. $6 million seems to be the current going rate for 50-60 points based on last offseason's free agent frenzy.
All of those other guys are very old for hockey players, or just aren't anywhere close to Eberle production wise.
I personally hope the Oilers keep Eberle for another year if the prevailing wisdom mirrors your thoughts. I think he is pretty likely to have a more productive season next year both in the regular season and playoffs.
Not that Eberle is in the same league as a player, but Datsyuk went at least 42 playoff games without scoring a goal. Just because Eberle didn't have a good playoffs, doesn't mean that his future is going to be a reflection of that.
If the Oilers trade Eberle away for peanuts, I think whichever team picks him up will be quite happy with the acquisition.