Jack Eichel is probably gonna be the top-paid player in Golden Knights history. The Knights knew this was coming when they got Eichel in a big trade with the Buffalo Sabres back in November 2021. At that time, Eichel still had four years left on his eight-year, $80 million extension with the Sabres.
Now, that deal is gonna end next summer, which means Eichel, who is 28, can sign an extension with the Knights on July 1. General manager Kelly McCrimmon mentioned that signing a new deal with Eichel is gonna be a big deal for the team. And you know what? The new deal is gonna earn Eichel a whole lot more money.
Eichel has really shown his skills as one of the NHL’s best two-way centers ever since he joined the Knights. He even helped the team win its first Stanley Cup in 2023. The guy scored a career-high of 94 points in 77 games last season, and people were still impressed by his defense. Coach Bruce Cassidy even thought it was “odd” that Eichel didn’t get more consideration for the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward.
Eichel’s agent Pat Brisson and McCrimmon have already started talks about what his extension might look like. But Eichel himself wasn’t really thinking about a new contract right after the Knights got knocked out of the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers. But hey, Vegas seems like a great place to play hockey and live, so Eichel is pretty happy to be part of the community.
Eichel’s new deal is probably gonna make him one of the highest-paid players in the NHL. Oilers center Leon Draisaitl got an eight-year, $112 million extension, making him the guy with the highest annual cap hit in the league’s history at $14 million. Behind him are Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews ($13.25 million) and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million). Eichel might get close to Draisaitl’s number, especially since the NHL’s salary cap is projected to keep going up.
McCrimmon thinks Eichel is a fantastic player and a key guy for the Knights. He hopes they can keep Eichel in the organization for a long time. The Knights don’t usually give out many eight-year extensions, but Eichel might be an exception given how much he’s contributed to the team.
The Knights have seen Eichel’s game reach incredible heights, especially during the playoffs a couple of years ago when he led the NHL with 26 points. He’s also had a career season this year and almost hit the 100-point mark. Cassidy thinks Eichel is a world-class leader and appreciates his effort on the ice every night.
Eichel himself is all about consistency and being his best every day. The Knights have other things to take care of in the offseason, but getting Eichel signed long-term is a top priority. McCrimmon knows Eichel loves being in Vegas, so hopefully, they can reach a deal and keep him with the Golden Knights for the long haul. Eichel is also proud to be part of the team and the city of Vegas and is looking forward to preparing for the next season.
Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like Eichel is gonna be sticking around Vegas for a while. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the Knights are making a smart move by trying to keep him on the team. Let’s see how this all plays out!
