Golden Knights Secure Jack Eichel with Massive Contract Extension
The Vegas Golden Knights have locked in their star center, Jack Eichel, for the long term, signing him to an eight-year, $108 million contract extension. The deal, announced Wednesday, carries an average annual value (AAV) of $13.5 million and will keep Eichel in Vegas through the 2033-34 season.
Eichel was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season, making this extension a key move for the Golden Knights to secure their offensive core. The 28-year-old is coming off a career year, notching 28 goals and 66 assists for a total of 94 points in 77 games last season. He also finished top-five in voting for the Hart and Selke trophies.
"If a contract happens organically, then it happens,” Eichel said last month when asked about contract negotiations potentially extending into the season. "You can only control so much, right, and that's sort of in my mindset. What are the things that I focus on? Preparing for the season, getting my mind and body in the best place to be successful and help our hockey team. That's more so my focus."
Selected second overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Eichel has amassed 608 points (239 goals, 369 assists) in 616 career games. Since joining the Golden Knights, he played a crucial role in their Stanley Cup victory in 2023.
The Golden Knights are aiming for another Stanley Cup, but were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon knows that it's going to take star players to bring another Stanley Cup.
Eichel's extension follows a recent trend of high-profile players signing long-term deals with their respective teams. Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) recently signed for $136 million over eight years, while Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) and Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets) also inked new deals.
With Eichel's contract in place, the Golden Knights have several key players locked up for the long haul, including Mitch Marner, Shea Theodore, and Noah Hanifin, all signed through at least the 2032 season.
