Jack Eichel, star of the Vegas Golden Knights, has secured his future with the team by signing an eight-year contract extension, the team announced on Wednesday. The deal, with an average annual value of $13.5 million, makes Eichel a key player for the team. The signing took place a few hours before the start of the Golden Knights’ season, who faced the Los Angeles Kings in Las Vegas. Negotiations intensified during training camp, with the aim of securing a long-term agreement before the start of the campaign. The new contract will come into effect in the 2026-27 season, and Eichel will be 38 years old at the end of the agreement. With this contract, he is positioned as the third player with the highest average annual value (AAV) in the league, only behind Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million) and Leon Draisaitl ($14 million). Eichel, 28, was about to conclude the last year of an eight-year contract with a $10 million impact, which he originally signed with the Buffalo Sabres, the team that drafted him. In 2021, Buffalo traded Eichel to the Golden Knights. This agreement originated due to Eichel’s desire to undergo an artificial disc replacement (ADR) to treat a neck injury, a procedure that had never been performed on an NHL player before and was therefore considered risky. Eichel’s agent, Pat Brisson, facilitated the trade. The Golden Knights allowed Eichel to undergo the surgery, which was a resounding success, so much so that several NHL players have undergone it. The American center contributed to Vegas winning its first Stanley Cup in 2023, scoring 26 points in 22 games during the playoffs.
Eichel is one of the six players already selected to represent the United States at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The Golden Knights are expected to be Stanley Cup contenders, especially after the addition of winger Mitch Marner this summer. Eichel and Marner are expected to play together on Vegas’ first line in their opening game against the Kings. This agreement reduces the list of potential prominent free agents for next summer. Connor McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov have already secured their contracts with their respective teams.“About four years ago, Jack underwent the first ADR surgery for an active NHL player,” Brisson commented. “He’s a pioneer. Vegas got involved and helped make the process happen. Since then, they’ve won the Cup. It’s a great place for him, and he’s very happy with his decision.”
Pat Brisson
