Darrell Davis: Eberle can be part of Edmonton's solution

Enough already! Stop picking on Jordan Eberle!

He just turned 27. He can handle the criticism. But it’s not only Eberle’s fault the Edmonton Oilers’ season is over. The team hasn’t yet learned how to win a Stanley Cup.

Listen to Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli and head coach Todd McLellan. They both noted Eberle was the team’s third-leading scorer during the regular season, that he was becoming a better two-way player and had a lot of value to the franchise. They admitted he wasn’t stellar in the playoffs. Eberle admitted that, too. He was disappointed he didn’t score a goal.

After seven seasons, Eberle is Edmonton’s longest-tenured player. Maybe his bosses are setting up a trade. Maybe they’re preparing to lose Eberle in the NHL expansion draft. Or maybe they’re just biased because, like everyone who knows Eberle, they like the guy.