SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 26: Jordan Eberle #7 of the Seattle Kraken looks on during the second period against the Boston Bruins at Climate Pledge Arena on February 26, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The wait ended at approximately less than four hours before the NHL trade deadline. Veteran forward Jordan Eberle, a subject of trade speculation while in the final year of his contract, ended all talk by agreeing to a two-year extension with the Seattle Kraken on Friday morning. Eberle is due to receive a $4.75 million annual salary, which kicks in next season, and according to capfriendly.com will have his deal structured to include a no-trade clause.
What we know:
· Eberle was in the final year of his five-year, $27.5 million contract originally signed before the 2019-20 with the New York Islanders. Eberle was selected by the Kraken in the expansion draft nearly three years ago.
· The extension will take him through the 2025-26 season, when he will be 36 years old.
· Eberle, 33, has 695 career points in 998 career games. He is scheduled to play in his 1,000th career NHL game next Tuesday against Vegas.
ANALYSIS BY 93.3 KJR-FM
This was a match that seemed nearly inevitable, until multiple reports earlier this week suggested Eberle and the Kraken were at an impasse in extension negotiations over the length of the contract. If no deal were to be reached, he would reportedly be traded by the Friday deadline.
Instead, the two sides settled on a two-year agreement that locks in arguably one of the most recognized leaders on a team looking to build off a historic playoff appearance last season, their second in the NHL, and construct a proverbial culture bridge for younger talent on the way, led by forwards Shane Wright, Ryan Winterton, Jagger Forks, and defenseman Ville Ottavainen.
Eberle reiterated to 93.3 KJR-FM on Friday morning that his stance never changed.
“I wanted to be here,” said Eberle. “I wanted to be a part of this group. I love the group we have here. My wife, my family loves it. I felt strongly we wanted to get something done. You really don’t know how these things are going to go, based on team performance and how things have gone. You never know what options Ron has or what he wants to do. End of the day, I’m happy to get something done.”
Eberle has caught fire since the new year, with 10 of his 14 goals coming after the calendar turned to January. He has a knack of clutch goals in the postseason, most recently a game four dagger to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime last spring, imperative to the seven-game upset the Kraken pulled over the Avalanche.
He has nearly been inseparable from Matty Beniers as his center after the Beniers arrived in the NHL and is conveniently positioned next to Beniers in the dressing room – a veteran and young talent arrangement.
Eberle said the conversations with family in the last 24 hours made a huge impact on the decision to agree to the extension.
“Lots, we definitely speak about what the plan is,” said Eberle to 93.3 KJR-FM. “I think when you have two young kids, and the support here, you definitely take everything into stake. My wife, they love it here, I love it here. Spending our offseason in Calgary, it’s nice to be on the west coast. Family’s close. We love the vibe that Seattle brings. It comes into play for sure.”