Four More Reasons For Kraken Fans To Focus On Jordan Eberle

Last week, Seattle Kraken fans were on Jordan Eberle contract extension watch, which got done with only hours to spare before the NHL's trade deadline.

When the Kraken host the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday, fans at Climate Pledge Arena will be on Jordan Eberle quadruple milestone watch.

He'll hit one for sure, playing in his 1,000th NHL game. Should he register an assist, that would be his 400th.

The native of Regina, Sask. also is four goals from 300 in his career, and five points from 700.

A fifth round number won't be cause for celebration, but should be cause for appreciation. Eberle is three PIMs away from 250, a remarkably low amount for a defensively-responsible player who logs heavy minutes. Over his career, that averages to one minor penalty taken every eight games.

Eberle racked up an absolutely goon-ish 34 PIMs with the Kraken in 2022-23, the only time he's had more than 24 in a season.

"Good Player, Good Number"

Speaking of numbers, popular podcaster Steve Dangle took a departure from lamenting his Toronto Maple Leafs to approve of Seattle extending Eberle.

(Steve's actual last name is Glynn, which is one letter away from being perfect.)

"A really good player and a really good number," Dangle said on his eponymous podcast. The team and 14-year forward Friday agreed on a two year, $9.5 million extension with a full no-movement clause.

That prevented a rumored return to an Oilers team Eberle played on for seven seasons. "He would have been perfect for Edmonton," Dangle pointed out, "because he's a fantastic playoff performer."

Dangle went on to list the numbers from Eberle's last four post-seasons. "Nine points in eight games (2019, with the Islanders), 14 points in 22 games (2020, NYI), 11 points in 19 games (2021, NYI), 11 points in 14 games (with the Kraken in 2023). This is a fantastic playoff performer, and this season 14 goals 37 points in 58 games."

Those numbers provided plenty of incentive for Kraken GM Ron Francis to keep Eberle in the fold. "Seattle thinks they're closer to the (100-point playoff) team they were last year than to their inaugural team," Dangle said.

Retaining Eberle comes with off-ice benefits, too. "Culture matters; you know, having an identity, having a player who you can slap on the back of your jersey as a new fan and feel confident about."