Edmonton Oilers lock up Jordan Eberle with 6-year deal

Written by: Matthew Blunk The Philadelphia Flyers aren’t the only NHL team keeping busy this summer. One week after locking up left wing Taylor Hall with a seven-year contract, the Edmonton Oilers signed forward Jordan Eberle to a six-year, $36 million extension. The newly “man-strong” (link – http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/30/eberle-on-offseason-maybe-im-getting-my-man-strength/ – to “man-strong”) Eberle posted 34 goals and 76 points in 78 during the 2011-12 season, in a breakout campaign for the 22-year-old right wing. Oilers GM Steve Tambellini appears dedicated to ensuring the future of the franchise with these two long-term deals with youthful, potential cornerstone players. Edmonton also boasts the previous two no. 1 overall picks in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (who displayed glimpses of greatness as a rookie) and Nail Yakupov. Defense and goaltending remain concerns for the Oilers, but there’s plenty of reason for optimism. With Hall, Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, and Yakupov, ...