Music: {allcanada} Eberle signs six-year extension with Oilers

Thursday, August 30, 2012

{allcanada} Eberle signs six-year extension with Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers on Thursday announced forward Jordan Eberle has signed a six-year, $36 million contract extension with the team.

Eberle, 22, is entering the final season of his three-year entry-level contract. His new deal will take affect with the 2013-14 season and keep him with the club through the 2018-19 season.

Eberle is the second member of the Oilers' young core to sign a long-term contract recently -- linemate Taylor Hall signed a seven-year, $42 million extension Aug. 22.

"Obviously I'm pretty excited," Eberle said on a conference call Thursday. "With Taylor getting his done last week, I was pretty anxious. I'm happy to be an Oiler ... and I think with the direction the team's going it's pretty obvious that there's a lot of excitement level around Edmonton and throughout our locker room. …

"We're stating that we want to be here, we want to be the core guys of this team that help us win," he added.

Last season, Eberle's second in the NHL, the right wing led the Oilers in goals (34), assists (42) and points (76). It's the second straight season he's led the team in scoring, and he was 15th in the League in goals and points.

"I'm happy for the organization and I'm proud of Jordan because he deserves it," Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini told the team's website. "He's a young man that is totally committed to what we're trying to accomplish here."

Eberle and Hall are roommates and close friends off the ice. Eberle said the two talked about signing similar contracts, and the Oilers obliged.

"They're a huge part of us going forward," Tambellini said. "I think everybody recognizes that. We're trying to make sure we solidify the core of this team for some time. … To have Jordan and Taylor both locked in for some time with the Oilers feels pretty good."

Eberle also was a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy, with 10 penalty minutes last season. Of the 30 NHL players who scored at least 30 goals, Eberle was one of two to finish with 10 penalty minutes or fewer. New York Islanders forward Matt Moulson was the other.

Taken by the Oilers with the 22nd pick of the 2008 NHL Draft, Eberle has 52 goals and 67 assists in 147 games.

The Oilers have finished last, last and next-to-last in the NHL standings the past three seasons. This offseason they added No. 1 draft pick Nail Yakupov and defenseman Justin Schultz to a young core that includes Eberle, Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

"I think this year is definitely going to be a big year for us, as far as developing our name as a team," Eberle said. "Our success in the past couple of years hasn't been nearly where we want it to be, and next year's going to be a huge stepping stone for us."