Jordan Eberle had some high expectations beginning this season after re-signing with the Islanders in June of last year. Eberle tore up the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round last year leading up to him signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract with an annual value of $5.5 million. Eberle slightly regressed in 2018-19 after a great year in 2017-18. His playoff performance prompted the Isles to re-sign him as a key member of the top line, playing with Mat Barzal and captain Anders Lee.

The Good:

Although the Islanders lost a lot of games late in the season, Jordan Eberle was one of the few Isles players consistently putting up points. Eberle had points in eight of the last 10 games of the season. During that stretch, he was averaging a point per game, with six goals and four assists good for 10 points. This included a hat trick against the Red Wings and many displays of one of the best backhanders in the NHL.

The Bad:

Eberle had three points in his first five games of the season, before getting injured during an Oct. 12 game against the Florida Panthers. The Islanders went on a 10 game win streak without Eberle, before he returned on Nov. 9 for another game against the Panthers. After his return, he had two points in nine games.  It wasn’t until Dec. 2 when Jordan scored his first goal of the season. Eberle was very inconsistent during the middle portion of the season going games at a time without earning points.

The Moment of the Season:

Eberle scored a hat-trick on February 21st in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings featuring a deflection goal in the first, a beautiful walk in shot off of a pass in the second and a rebound in the third. Eberle took charge to win the game for the Isles that was very much needed in a return home after losing all four games on a west coast road trip. It made John Tonelli’s jersey retirement night extra special. The hat-trick was Eberle’s first with the Islanders.

The Expectations:

Although Jordan Eberle had some rough patches this season, he had a lot of very good moments, and was one of the top contributors on a depressing Isles offense. He performed well as a top-line winger for the Isles and came close to reaching his unrealistically high expectations. Eberle should continue to put up points in this years playoffs and in the coming seasons.

The Verdict:

It was not realistic to expect Jordan Eberle to play like he did against the Penguins in the playoffs last year every game this season. If so, he would have almost 100 goals. All things considered, Eberle has had a solid season.

The Grade: 83/B

John Smark