Jack Eichel signed an eight-year, $108 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $13.5 million and begins with the 2026-27 season.
The 28-year-old center, who led the Golden Knights and was eighth in the NHL with a career-high 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 77 games last season, is in the last of the eight-year, $80 million contract ($10 million AAV) he signed with the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 3, 2017. Eichel could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
"There’s definitely some peace of mind that comes with getting something done," Eichel said. "I said all along I wanted to be here, playing for the Vegas Golden Knights, so really happy to get it done, so happy to continue my career here in Vegas. It’s been an incredible place for me, my family. Just very thankful and grateful. It was obviously nice to get that out of the way. Tons of thanks to the organization and all my teammates and everyone that’s been there with me along this journey."
Eichel has 253 points (100 goals, 153 assists) in 241 regular-season games with Vegas, and leads the team in points and is tied for the lead in goals since he was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 4, 2021, along with a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft for forwards Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch, a first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in 2023.
Eichel led the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 22 games to help the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023. He had 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 11 playoff games last season, which led the team.
Vegas finished first in the Pacific Division last season before losing in the Western Conference Second Round to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. The Golden Knights then added forward Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs after Marner had 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists) last season.
"It’s an organization that wants to win the Stanley Cup every year, and as a player, that’s all you can ask for," Eichel said. "We know they’re going to do what’s necessary to give us a chance to win, and that’s what I want to do, continue to push to win another Stanley Cup here in Vegas. It was a huge part of my decision."
The No. 2 pick by the Sabres in the 2015 NHL Draft, Eichel has 608 points (239 goals, 369 assists) in 616 regular-season games for Buffalo and Vegas and 43 points (10 goals, 33 assists) in 40 playoff games.
NHL.com columnist Nick Cotsonika contributed to this report
