Jack Eichel Signs Multi-Million Dollar Extension with the Golden Knights
Star player Jack Eichel has secured his future with the Vegas Golden Knights by signing an eight-year contract extension. The deal, announced on Wednesday, has an average annual value of $13.5 million. The news arrives just before the start of the Golden Knights season, who will face the Los Angeles Kings in Las Vegas. Negotiations between both parties intensified during training camp, with the aim of reaching a long-term agreement before the start of the season. The extension will take effect in the 2026-27 season, and Eichel will be 38 years old at the end of the contract. With this agreement, he will be positioned as the third player with the highest average annual value in the league, surpassed only by Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million) and Leon Draisaitl ($14 million). Eichel, 28 years old, was about to start the last year of his previous contract, which had a cap hit of $10 million. This original contract was signed with the Buffalo Sabres, the team that drafted him. In 2021, Eichel was traded to the Golden Knights from the Buffalo Sabres.The trade occurred due to Eichel’s desire to undergo artificial disc replacement (ADR) surgery to correct a neck injury, a procedure that had never before been performed on an NHL player and was therefore considered risky. Pat Brisson, Eichel’s agent, facilitated the trade.
The Golden Knights allowed Eichel to undergo the surgery, which was a resounding success, so much so that several other NHL players have had it done. The American center played a pivotal role in the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup victory in 2023, scoring 26 points in 22 games during the playoffs run.Eichel is one of six players already selected for the United States Team for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games. 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’s first line in the opening game against the Kings. The agreement reduces the list of potential star free agents for next season. Connor McDavid renewed his contract for two years with the Edmonton Oilers, and Kaprizov signed an eight-year contract with the Minnesota Wild before the start of the season.“About four years ago, Jack underwent the first ADR surgery for an active NHL player. He’s a pioneer. Vegas took over 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 the decision,” commented Brisson.
Pat Brisson
