Jack Eichel’s Commitment to the Vegas Golden Knights
HENDERSON, Nev. — Jack Eichel, who currently plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, has expressed a strong desire to extend his stay in the city rather than explore the free-agent market when his contract expires next summer.
“At this moment, yeah, I’d like to stay,”
Eichel remarked during the NHL Player Media Tour, emphasizing his satisfaction with the organization and life in Las Vegas.
Contract Details and Performance
Eichel, now 28 years old, is entering the final year of an eight-year, $80 million deal initially inked with the Buffalo Sabres in 2017. This season, he is set to earn $10 million, which also constitutes the cap hit of his current contract. Last season, he was a standout for the Golden Knights, leading the team with an impressive tally of 94 points over 77 games, which translates to an average of 1.10 points per game over the past three seasons, placing him among the top 20 players in the league.
Future Prospects and Team Dynamics
His potential availability as a free agent in 2024 would be highly sought after, but Eichel has reiterated his commitment to the Golden Knights and the city.
“I love the organization. I love living here. I love the guys in the room and the fans. It’s a fantastic place to play hockey and to live,”
he stated.
Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon has publicly identified re-signing Eichel as a priority for the franchise, noting,
“He’s one of the top guys in the NHL. He’s got great character and leadership, making him an integral part of our future plans. We hope to keep Jack in the organization and are looking to find common ground in our negotiations.”
Negotiations and Season Outlook
Discussions between Eichel’s agent, Pat Brisson, and McCrimmon are reportedly in preliminary stages, though Eichel remains optimistic about the outcome. He mentioned that the situation is “trending” in a positive direction, yet he aims to concentrate on his performance as the season approaches.
Last season, the Golden Knights reached the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, defeating the Minnesota Wild but ultimately falling to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. For context, the team has not progressed beyond the second round since clinching the Stanley Cup title in 2023. In a notable offseason move, McCrimmon traded for star winger Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who subsequently signed an eight-year, $96 million deal before the free agency period.
As the next season unfolds, the future of Eichel and the Golden Knights remains a pivotal story to follow.
