Jack Eichel's future with the Vegas Golden Knights has become a major talking point as he enters the final year of his eight-year, $80 million contract. While uncertainty often surrounds players in such situations, Eichel and the Golden Knights appear to be on the same page, prioritizing a contract extension that would keep the star center in Las Vegas for the long term.
General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has publicly stated that re-signing Eichel is a "priority" for the organization. Eichel himself has expressed his desire to stay with the Golden Knights. "At this moment, yeah, I'd like to stay," Eichel told ESPN. "I love the organization. I love living here. I love the guys in the room. I love the people in the city. I love the fans. It's a great place to live. It's a great place to play hockey. I think there's a lot of things to love and I'm just really happy here".
Eichel's comfort and satisfaction in Vegas seem to be key factors driving his desire to stay. He appreciates the winning culture and the organization's commitment to providing a competitive environment. "As a player it's a very competitive environment," Eichel said. "The organization does a good job of taking care of their players and our goal is to win the Stanley Cup every year, and that's a great thing".
The Golden Knights have been eligible to sign Eichel to an extension for over two months. Contract extension talks between McCrimmon and Eichel's agent, Pat Brisson, are in the early stages. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Eichel remains focused on preparing for the upcoming season. "For me, it's business as usual," Eichel told NHL.com. "Things like that kind of take care of themselves when you're focused on the right things. I know that will sort itself out. Moreso, my mentality is we're starting training camp, we're starting the season and how do I be the best version of myself to help our team win, be a good teammate".
Eichel is coming off a career-best season, leading the Golden Knights with 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 77 games. He also played a crucial role in the team's Stanley Cup victory in 2023, contributing 26 points in 22 playoff games. His performance has solidified his position as a top player in the league and has further increased his value as a key asset for the Golden Knights.
While the financial details of a potential contract extension remain to be seen, it's clear that Eichel is in line for a significant raise from his previous $10 million AAV. Some reports have suggested that his next contract could be worth $13-14 million AAV, or even higher if he were to test free agency. However, Eichel's apparent disinterest in exploring the open market could potentially help the Golden Knights in negotiating a deal that works for both sides.
The recent acquisition of Mitch Marner by the Golden Knights has added another layer of intrigue to the Eichel contract situation. Marner's arrival has further solidified the team's offensive firepower and has created the potential for a dynamic duo with Eichel.
