Eichel Secures 8-Year Contract Extension with Golden Knights
Jack Eichel has extended his contract with the Vegas Golden Knights for eight additional years, with an average annual value of $13.5 million. This announcement was made just hours before the Golden Knights were set to begin their season against the Los Angeles Kings in Las Vegas.
Contract Details and Timeline
Negotiations intensified as training camp approached, with both Eichel and the Golden Knights aiming for a long-term commitment before the season’s start. The new extension will commence in the 2026-27 season. By the end of the contract, Eichel will be 38 years old.
Eichel’s Position in the League
With this extension, Eichel will rank as the third-highest player in terms of average annual value (AAV) in the NHL, following Kirill Kaprizov at $17 million and Leon Draisaitl at $14 million.
Background on Eichel’s Career
- Eichel, 28, was initially drafted by the Buffalo Sabres.
- He previously signed an eight-year contract worth a $10 million cap hit with Buffalo.
- The Sabres traded Eichel to the Golden Knights in 2021 following his desire to undergo an innovative surgery for a neck injury.
His previous contract stemmed from his struggle with a neck injury, which led to his pursuit of an artificial disk replacement (ADR)—a procedure not previously attempted on an active NHL player. Eichel’s agent, Pat Brisson, played a crucial role in facilitating the trade.
Success with the Golden Knights
The Golden Knights supported Eichel in undergoing the successful surgery, which has since inspired other NHL players to consider the procedure. Eichel’s contributions were instrumental in helping the Golden Knights secure their first Stanley Cup in 2023, where he tallied 26 points in 22 playoff games.
Looking Ahead
Brisson stated the significance of Eichel’s role as a pioneer in surgery among NHL players. Eichel is now set to play a pivotal role as one of the six players named to Team USA for the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Team Outlook
The Golden Knights are anticipated to remain strong contenders for the Stanley Cup, especially after the addition of winger Mitch Marner during the summer. Eichel and Marner are projected to form a formidable top line in the team’s opener against the Kings.
This contract extension also removes a major name from the potential free agent market next summer. Earlier this week, Connor McDavid secured a two-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers, while Kaprizov signed an eight-year deal with the Minnesota Wild.
