Eberle seemingly lost motivation and/or confidence over the years in Edmonton. He can be a success with the Islanders but it will be seen as a big success or big flop with his salary.
If he's playing with drive he's a good player that can finish plays, make plays and be a top goalscorer. Good hockey sense, pretty good shot, decent passing ability, can read plays well.
However, if he is not playing motivated he is a soft, slow, small perimeter player who misses his defensive responsibilities. Oilers fans said the same of Yakupov, but at least Yakupov looks like he was TRYING most nights even if he was skating in circles and making boneheaded plays. One critical difference between the two is that Eberle has way more hockey sense and thinks the game much better.
It's not hyperbolic to say his play was a major disappointment this season (and I would argue last season too), his play was one of the reasons the Oilers did not go further in the postseason. He was basically a non-factor all year bar a couple of games. Maybe Hall getting traded annoyed him? Would have liked to seen him a bit more pissed off on the ice if that was the case! And for me it it so disappointing to see the way his career with the Oilers has ended. It should have been much later and on a better note. This is not the Eberle of the WJC unfortunately but he still has time to turn it around.
I hope the Isles see the 'good' Eberle. He needs to produce often and consistently for his salary.
I've no idea what we are getting with Strome but a lot of what i've read is that he is a 'non-factor' most nights. Ok, disappointed the Oil couldn't work a deal to get Hamonic (enjoy Duchene!) but younger, much cheaper, bigger, not produced at the NHL to the level he was projected to yet. I guess i'll take it. If we are basing next seasons projections solely off last season the Oilers won't be losing a whole lot. I have not been a fan of the amount of the Oilers smaller players that can not engage physically with other teams for many years so in that regard it's good for the Oilers in my book.
Chiarelli was left with both a golden ticket with McDavid and subsequently Draisaitl and with a poisoned chalice with the remnants of the Old Boys Club. These kids were put under far too much pressure without the proper veteran supervision or right team depth. I hope we don't make the same mistake twice but I think Chia has shown he understands this. People are right to criticize him for this trade based on value/reputation but the Oilers probably did need to do something with Eberle.
Good luck to Eberle in New York. I'm pulling for him he's a good kid and needed a change of scenery. Likes a party but most do at his age
