The Vegas Golden Knights have agreed to terms on an eight-year extension with superstar center Jack Eichel, according to multiple reports. The deal carries an average annual value of $13.5 million.
Eichel will have the third-highest cap hit in NHL history next season, trailing only Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million) and Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl ($14 million).
Eichel is coming off a career season in which he set franchise records in both assists (66) and points (94).
But he’s arguably just scratching the surface, and he could top 100 points for the first time in his career this season with Mitch Marner on his wing.
Eichel is a game-breaker in every sense of the word, and he’s developed into one of the best two-way and all-around players in the game.
The Golden Knights acquired Eichel from Buffalo back on Nov. 4, 2021 in exchange for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs and two draft picks.
It’s not every day that a true franchise No. 1 center is traded. At the time, Eichel was in the midst of an ongoing dispute with Buffalo management regarding the best course of action for his neck injury.
Just eight days after the trade, with Vegas’ blessing, Eichel proceeded with his preferred artificial disk replacement surgery, which the Sabres prohibited him from having. The procedure had never been performed on an NHL player, but Eichel was on the ice weeks later, and the recovery took just three months.
Vegas missed the playoffs in Eichel’s first year, but Eichel played a critical role in helping the team hoist its first Stanley Cup in franchise history the following season. He recorded 26 points in 22 games and was very much in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Eichel has produced at more than a point-per-game pace in both the regular season and playoffs since arriving in Sin City. He has 100 goals and 253 points in 241 games as well as 43 points in 40 playoff games with Vegas.
Earlier this summer, the Golden Knights said it was a priority to take care of Eichel’s extension prior to the start of the season, but the fact that they completed it just hours before Vegas’ season opener against Los Angeles cannot be overlooked. It could have been a distraction throughout the season, but Vegas has locked up its franchise center.
Plus, it’s only an increase of $3.5 million per year over Eichel’s previous $10 million cap hit. That’s especially surprising considering how much Eichel’s game has evolved since the trade as well as the salary cap growth expected over the next few years.
Eichel has 239 goals and 608 points in 616 career games with the Sabres and Golden Knights.