Eberle thinks it would feel “really weird” to depart AHL

It’s anyone’s guess how the CBA discussions will end, but if the two sides actually do hash things out, it will force some slightly jarring reunions. Jordan Eberle admits to The Oklahoman that it would be “really weird” to leave the AHL’s Oklahoma Barons to resume play with the Edmonton Oilers.

“Absolutely,” Eberle said. “It’s going to be really weird. But I’m an NHL player. That’s where I want to be. Hopefully they get started soon and Hallsy, Schultz, Nuge and I and some other guys on this team would go up there.”

Eberle has enjoyed a better jaunt outside the NHL than many other players, though.

He’s currently tied for the AHL points lead with teammate Justin Schultz at 43, so it’s not like he needed to deal with headaches and struggles like, say, Evander Kane.

(It also doesn’t hurt that Eberle’s salary will jump from about $800K to 2012-13 to $6 million per year starting in 2013-14, either.)

Ultimately, Eberle is getting too emotionally invested in the ebbs and flows of the negotiating:

“I have no idea (what will happen),” Eberle said. “It’s the same as always. It’s nice to hear that they’re talking. But at the end of the day I try not to pay attention to it. My focus is here.”

Here being the AHL – for now.