Every team's dreams of signing Jack Eichel in next summer's free agency are now over as the forward signed a contract extension to stay with the Vegas Golden Knights. The recent contract extension for Connor McDavid began a domino effect of deals, as Kyle Connor and Eichel also avoided free agency by signing early. Eichel's eight-year, $108 million deal will start in the 2026-27 season.
It's no surprise that Eichel signed with Vegas, as the fit has been exceptional since arriving. Players don't voluntarily leave an organization where they have good financial incentives to stay and what seems to be a positive living environment. It's the reason why the Golden Knights attract the top free agents and get their stars on team-friendly deals.
One of the major talking points of the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Golden Knights winning recent Stanley Cups is their advantage as states with no income tax. It allows them to get star players at a bargain, and that point will be brought up again with the Eichel signing.
Eichel's production could skyrocket over the next eight years as he settles in with a new linemate, Mitch Marner. Fellow American Auston Matthews became one of the top scorers in the NHL with Marner on his wing, and the Golden Knights hope that he can have the same effect on Eichel. He had a career-high in 2024-25 with 94 points, with not a whole lot of playmaking help on his wing. The plan is for him to increase his goal-scoring total of 28 alongside Marner.
The Golden Knights feel that their combination of Marner and Eichel gives them enough firepower to contend with the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference. Vegas' window just got much larger with both players signed to long-term contracts, and the Golden Knights hope that Eichel can add another Stanley Cup to his mantle within the next nine seasons.
