Eight More Years for Vegas’ Superstar! The Vegas Golden Knights made a franchise-defining move on Wednesday, announcing that star center Jack Eichel has inked an eight-year, $108 million contract extension—worth an average annual value (AAV) of $13.5 million. In doing so, Eichel becomes the highest-paid player in the team’s history.
The news had fans buzzing online as the Golden Knights celebrated the signing with an exuberant social media post, hailing the moment as a new chapter in the team’s golden era.
But here’s what makes this deal especially notable—Eichel was just months away from becoming a free agent on July 1. Instead of testing the market, he committed to Vegas long-term, surpassing the benchmark set by Mitch Marner’s eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million AAV) signed earlier this year. That’s a huge statement of loyalty, and perhaps a hint that he believes the Golden Knights still have championships left in the tank.
Eichel’s track record adds weight to that belief. Coming off a sensational 2024–25 season, the 28-year-old shattered multiple franchise records, setting new highs in total points (94) and assists (66). Since joining Vegas in a blockbuster trade from Buffalo back in 2021, Eichel has transformed into one of the NHL’s most complete two-way centers—a player who dominates offensively while also logging heavy minutes in all key situations: even strength, power play, and penalty kill.
His consistency has been remarkable. Across 241 regular-season games in a Golden Knights uniform, Eichel has tallied 253 points. And when the stakes rise, so does his performance—just look at the 2023 playoffs, when he notched 26 points and propelled Vegas to its first Stanley Cup title, finishing as runner-up for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Some argue he should’ve won it outright. What do you think?
From a team-building perspective, locking Eichel up for eight more years gives Vegas long-term stability at the top of their lineup. He now stands alongside other key pieces like Mitch Marner and Tomas Hertl, both signed through the 2029–30 season. Meanwhile, captain Mark Stone and defensive workhorse William Karlsson remain under contract for at least two more years, anchoring a group that has defined Vegas hockey since the franchise’s meteoric NHL rise.
Sure, the team’s core is getting older—but it’s far from over the hill. The Golden Knights are still firmly within their Stanley Cup contention window, heading into the 2025–26 season aiming for an eighth postseason berth and a fifth division crown in just nine years of existence. The big question now: can this veteran core deliver another championship, or are Vegas fans clinging to past glory? Drop your take—has the team’s future been secured, or did they just pay for their past performances?
