Golden Knights Training Camp Begins
The Golden Knights kicked off their training camp in Las Vegas on Thursday, featuring star center Jack Eichel‘s participation during the initial stage of the first practice session. However, head coach Bruce Cassidy announced that Eichel had to sit out the latter part of the practice due to a minor issue he described as “a little tweak.” Given that it was only the first day of training, the team opted to err on the side of caution to ensure Eichel’s health moving forward.
Contract Extension Priorities
As the camp commenced, general manager Kelly McCrimmon took the opportunity to emphasize that securing a contract extension for Eichel remains a significant priority for the franchise. He clarified that the negotiations surrounding Eichel’s future are not influenced by other players, specifically mentioning Connor McDavid from Edmonton and Kirill Kaprizov from Minnesota, who are also in discussions for extensions with their teams.
“From our perspective, our situation is independent,” McCrimmon stated, reinforcing that Eichel’s contract is on the forefront of their agenda. “Jack is a priority for us. I believe he recognizes that the organization has treated him well. We will keep the lines of communication open. We hold him in high regard due to his contributions to our team.”
Eichel’s Impact and Focus
Eichel played a pivotal role in guiding the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup victory during his inaugural complete season with the team in 2023, significantly enhancing their championship aspirations. Over his tenure with the Knights, which spans just over three seasons, the talented center has accrued 253 points, achieving a career-high 94 points and 66 assists last season.
Recently, Eichel expressed his determination to concentrate on elements of his performance that he can directly influence, downplaying any anxiety regarding negotiations for his extension.
“My focus is on what I can control, which is preparing myself for the upcoming season. I want to ensure I’m in the best condition to contribute to the team’s success,” he explained. Eichel believes that as long as he performs well, everything else, including contract matters, will resolve itself naturally. “If contracts come about organically, that’s great. But right now, my attention is on starting the season strong and supporting my team,” he added.
