Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall will continue to be the cornerstones of the Edmonton Oilers.
Eberle agreed to a six-year, $36-million US contract extension with Edmonton on Thursday.
The move comes just over a week after Hall, Eberle's roommate, signed a sevenyear, $42-million extension with the Oilers.
"Obviously, me and Taylor want to be a part of this team for a while," Eberle said. "That's why we signed this way. I think it signifies the young core of the group wanted to be here."
The five-foot-11, 184pound Eberle was taken in the first round, 22nd overall, by Edmonton in the 2008 NHL entry draft.
The 22-year-old Regina native has registered 52 goals and 67 assists in 147 games over his two seasons with Edmonton.
Eberle had 34 goals and 42 assists in 78 games last year with the Oilers.
Eberle said both he and Hall spoke often during the respective contract negotiations and it was important to the two stars that they sign deals worth the same on an annual basis.
"I think it kind of signifies, like I said before, that we both want to be here for a significant amount of time," he said. "We see the direction the team is going and that's in a forward direction.
"I think this year is definitely going to be a big year for us as far as developing our name as a team. Our success in the past couple of years hasn't been nearly where we want it to be and next year is going to be a huge stepping stone for us."
