REGINA PATS - JORDAN EBERLE REASSIGNED

Ron "Scoreboard" Johnston - As I mentioned in an earlier blog., why didn't Edmonton release him Thursday night after the game in Winnipeg? At least he could have helped the Pats on the week-end.

TSN.ca

Help is on the way for the beleaguered Pats, who learned Sunday night that forward Jordan Eberle was returning to Regina.

Eberle, the hero for Canada at last year's world junior hockey championship, was one of the final cuts from the Edmonton Oilers despite having a solid training camp.

"They saw that I can compete at this level but they want me to go back to junior and be a leader there," Eberle said, following the Oilers' 5-4 overtime win over Vancouver.

"It's tough anytime you get cut but I'll go back down to junior and hopefully have a good year there and at the world juniors. It's another year to learn and get better."

Eberle led the Pats in scoring last season with 35 goals and 39 assists in 61 games. He is the franchise's active leader in several offensive categories, including goals (105) and points (209).

Rod Pedersen.blog - Eberle Reassigned

Regardless of what you think of the Pats, Jordan's return will provide a gigantic boost.

For one thing, he's good for at least a point a game meaning the Pats go into every game up 1-0 with him in the lineup.

With better goaltending than last year, this team's outlook vastly improves. Do they challenge for first? Can they make a run?

That's pretty hard to say right now considering they sit at the bottom of the East Division standings. But the return of Jordan Eberle means all bets are off.

I wouldn't look at dealing off Eberle and Teubert before we see what can happen with this team playing together, and playing HARD.

ALSO STORY by Regina Leader Post Sports writer -

Gregg Harder - Leader Post Sports - Eberle/Quinn speak