NHL: Vegas Golden Knights sign superstar long-term!

Jack Eichel has extended his contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old center signed a new eight-year, $108 million contract on Wednesday that runs through the 2026-27 season. With an average annual salary of $13.5 million, Eichel will be one of the highest-paid players in the league.

Key player remains in the desert

Eichel is the centerpiece of the 2023 Stanley Cup champions. Last season, he led the Golden Knights with 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 77 games, ranking eighth in the league. His current contract for $80 million, which he signed with the Buffalo Sabers in 2017, runs until the summer of 2026. After that, he would have become an unrestricted free agent – the Golden Knights are preventing that with the long-term commitment of their franchise player.

“It’s business as usual for me,” Eichel told NHL.com at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour. “I’m focused on doing my best and helping the team. Everything else will fall into place.” At the same time, the star striker emphasized how comfortable he feels in Las Vegas: “It’s a great organization and a fantastic community. Our goal every year is to win the Stanley Cup.”

Eichel in Vegas: Numbers, records and leadership qualities

Since his spectacular trade from the Buffalo Sabers in November 2021, Jack Eichel has collected 253 points in 241 NHL games for Vegas – with 100 goals and 153 assists, he leads the team in both categories. In the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he was the league’s outstanding player: with 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists) in 22 games, he led the Golden Knights to the first title in franchise history. Eichel also confirmed his consistency in the last postseason: in 11 games he collected 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) and was once again his team’s top scorer.

A career profile with superstar status

Eichel was selected by the Buffalo Sabers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and has since been considered one of the most talented centers in the league. In 616 NHL games he has so far scored 608 points (239 goals, 369 assists) – plus 43 points (10 goals, 33 assists) in 40 playoff games. With his new contract, the Golden Knights not only secure a top scorer, but also a leader with a championship mentality.

Start of the season against the Los Angeles Kings

At the start of the new 2025/26 NHL season, Vegas will face the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday evening at the T-Mobile Arena. For Eichel and the Golden Knights, anything other than another attempt at the Stanley Cup would be a surprise.

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