Colorado Avalanche Shouldn’t Trade for Jordan Eberle

The Colorado Avalanche should not attempt to trade for winger Jordan Eberle from the Edmonton Oilers. He’s not the right player at the right time.

The Colorado Avalanche have long been connected to rumors of a trade for Jordan Eberle, a Canadian sniper currently with the Edmonton Oilers.  He’s the frequent subject of trade rumors for different teams. Returning guest writer Mika Tuukkanen thinks he would be a bad fit.

Eberle was a promising prospect picked by Edmonton with 22^nd overall in the 2008 entry draft. That was a year before our new era began with picking center Matt Duchene.

Colorado Avalanche Needs

As we clearly know, the Colorado Avalanche are in bad condition. Last season was an absolute failure. Now GM Joe Sakic should be working day in and out to fix the glaring holes in Avs roster.

Here are the notable holes:
1.Quality depth players in every position.
2. Scoring wingers.
3. Prospect pool
4. Defense.

Eberle would fit in the department of scoring wingers — he is good at that. He is a right-handed shot. The Avs do not have a right hand shot in the top 6 except for Nathan MacKinnon, and MacK plays at center.

So it appears Jordan Eberle would be a perfect fit?

The Case of Jordan Eberle

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Even as close as a year ago I could have agreed with acquiring Eberle. At the time, it seemed like the Colorado Avalanche might be developing into a decent playoff team. This mindset resulted in a trade to get us Mikkel Boedker. Boedker was the spark that gave a new life into the Avs team.

Unfortunately, the fire cooled soon and again, no playoff hockey in Denver. Sadly, the Avs could not hold onto Boedker, and so he was just a rental player. This deal could have easily been made with Edmonton for Eberle.

The issue of the trade is not mostly the player himself, it is the timing. Eberle is now 27 years old, meaning he has entered the prime of his career. The Avs are deep in rebuild. When the Avs would be competing, Eberle would most likely already be at the twilight of his career. Acquiring capable players during the rebuild phase is a waste of resourses which could have been used for young talent and draft picks.

Another troubling thing is the trend of his numbers:

Eberle had a strong beginning in the NHL as he passed the 30-goal mark during his second season, posting a total of 76 points in 78 games. The issue is the slow, but sure drop of production in years since. Last season he put up points with the same rate as he did in his first season. Another positive aspect is the rise of his corsi numbers, but since we are looking at a top 6 sniper, production is the most important factor.

Conclusion

Eberle will be a great addition for a team that chooses to trade for him, if there will be one. The Colorado Avalanche just should not be that team.

Young players need veterans around them to help them improve their game and to be the stabilizing force in a team. But, no Sakic, not veterans, like Beauchemin and Tyutin, who are carried by the young. I mean capable veterans.

However, paying a high price for a veteran tutor, who is not really a veteran, does not make sense. That would be the case with Jordan Eberle.

Next: Potential Tyson Barrie Trade Destinations

Who do you think we should go for in a trade? Which players could we send for the best possibilities?