How the injury to Jordan Eberle impacts the Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken are facing a significant challenge after captain Jordan Eberle was injured during the second period of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 14. Despite his absence, the Kraken secured a 3-1 victory that night and have won two out of their last three games. However, the potential loss of Eberle for an extended period would undoubtedly be a major setback for the team, particularly when it comes to leadership.

The injury occurred when Eberle became entangled with Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy and was slammed into the end wall, landing awkwardly on his back. The Kraken have labeled the injury as a lower-body issue, though the exact nature of the injury is still unclear. Given the violent nature of the collision, it’s possible that the injury could affect his shoulder, back, neck, head, or even his knee. Eberle had previously required shoulder surgery back in 2015, so injuries to that area are a particular concern.

After the hit, Eberle was able to skate off the ice under his own power, but later footage showed him being assisted by a trainer, leaning on the glass with his left arm while favoring his right side. This suggests the injury may involve his lower body. Further fueling concerns, Eberle was seen using crutches following the Kraken’s victory over the New York Islanders on November 16. This raises more questions about the severity of the injury and how long he might be out of action.

Before the injury, Eberle had been a key contributor to the Kraken’s offense. As of November 21, he had played 256 games for Seattle, the most of any Kraken forward, second only to defenseman Adam Larsson with 264 games. Eberle started the season hot, collecting nine points in his first ten games, marking his best start since his rookie season in 2013. However, his production slowed in his last seven games, where he only registered two points. This dip in performance came at a difficult time for the Kraken, as the team struggled during a rough stretch, winning only one of eight games between October 22 and November 5.

Eberle is known for playing through injuries, a trait he demonstrated during the 2023-24 season when he broke his hand in a fight against Logan O’Connor of the Colorado Avalanche. Despite the significant injury to his right hand, Eberle continued to play for six weeks, which speaks to his toughness and commitment. Therefore, the fact that Eberle might be sidelined for a prolonged period indicates just how serious his current injury could be.

As of November 21, Eberle has not been placed on injured reserve (IR) or long-term injured reserve (LTIR), and there is no immediate salary cap pressure requiring the Kraken to make a move. However, with Vince Dunn currently on LTIR, the Kraken may eventually need to place Eberle on LTIR once Dunn is activated. This would trigger the 10-game and 24-day eligibility period for Eberle’s return, which could potentially make him available by December 10, provided his recovery goes as planned. For now, coach Dan Bylsma has stated that the team is still awaiting the results of various tests to get a clearer picture of Eberle’s injury timeline.

Kraken General Manager Ron Francis provided a brief update during an interview, noting that the team had seen a doctor on Monday and was seeking additional opinions. He expressed hope that the Kraken would have a better understanding of the situation within the next 24 hours, which would give the team a clearer idea of Eberle’s recovery process and expected return date.

From a roster management perspective, the Kraken may face difficult decisions in the coming weeks. While Eberle’s presence in the lineup is certainly preferred, the potential designation of Eberle to LTIR could help alleviate some salary cap concerns. When Dunn returns from LTIR, the Kraken will have to make moves to ensure they remain compliant with the salary cap. As Francis mentioned, the team has limited flexibility, and with only $4,288 remaining under the cap while carrying 21 players, there isn’t much room to maneuver. However, placing Eberle on LTIR would give the team more breathing room in the short term. When Dunn is activated, the Kraken may need to make roster moves, such as sending players to the AHL or possibly making a trade to ensure the cap is balanced.

If Eberle’s injury does not necessitate LTIR, the Kraken will be over the cap by $1.74 million when Dunn returns. To become cap compliant, the team would need to clear that amount of cap space. According to the “Wade Redden” rule, only $1.15 million per player can be buried in the AHL, meaning that two players would likely need to be moved. Francis mentioned that the Kraken might have to explore various options to resolve this issue, such as waiving players, sending them down to the minors, or making a trade.

There are a few options for clearing cap space, particularly with waiver-exempt players. While Francis considered sending a player to the AHL, neither Ryker Evans nor Shane Wright has a salary high enough to resolve the cap issue on their own. Ben Meyers, who cleared waivers earlier this season, wouldn’t need to clear waivers again unless he plays 10 NHL games or spends 30 days on the roster. Sending Meyers down seems like a practical option, but it may leave the Kraken short on forwards, particularly with Eberle’s injury.

In terms of waiver candidates, Daniel Sprong could be one possibility, as his cap hit aligns with the amount needed to clear space. However, Sprong is currently playing a key role on the team, often in a top-six forward position, so it would be a tough decision to waive him. Another candidate is Josh Mahura, a defenseman who has performed well in Dunn’s absence. While Mahura’s spot could potentially be taken by Dunn once he’s healthy, it’s possible that Mahura could be waived to make room for Dunn. Another option is Tye Kartye, though he would require waivers to be sent to the AHL. However, since Kartye has shown promise and could be claimed off waivers, this may not be the best option.

In terms of moving forward, the most likely scenarios involve waiving Josh Mahura and Daniel Sprong to clear the necessary cap space. If Eberle is placed on LTIR, the team would have the flexibility to manage the cap without the need for drastic moves.

From a lineup perspective, the Kraken are in a better position to cope with Eberle’s absence thanks to the acquisition of Daniel Sprong, who can help absorb some of the offensive production. However, his absence will certainly be felt in terms of leadership. In the last two games, Andre Burakovsky has stepped up to fill Eberle’s role on the first line, and has looked solid, even assisting on McCann’s tying goal against the Islanders. Oliver Bjorkstrand is another option for stepping into that top spot.

For filling the void in the bottom six, the Kraken have several forward prospects in Coachella Valley, with Ryan Winterton leading the charge. Both Jagger Firkus and Eduard Sale have also been performing well, with nine points apiece this season, and could be considered for a call-up, though Winterton is the most likely candidate. However, these prospects are on higher salaries, which means that the Kraken would need to either place a player on LTIR or send someone else down to the minors to make room for them.

Injuries are a part of the game, and the Kraken are hoping for the best for Eberle’s recovery. If he is out long-term, the team will need to make the best of the situation and find ways to continue competing. The timing of the Sprong trade could be crucial in helping the Kraken stay competitive in Eberle’s absence, and how the team handles these challenges will be an important storyline in the coming weeks.