Eichel’s extension will cement his legacy in Vegas 

The Vegas Golden Knights and superstar center Jack Eichel hopped on the trend of massive contract extensions being handed out across the NHL on Wednesday, agreeing to an eight-year, $108 million deal that cements him as the face of the franchise and takes the biggest prize that was still theoretically available out of next July’s free agency market.

The move ties Eichel to winger Mitch Marner, the team’s massive offseason acquisition, as two-thirds of a dominant top line for the next seven seasons after this one, and it secures his presence as the team’s franchise center, an ingredient that had been missing from the equation in Vegas until he was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discuss the significance of the contract and what it means for Eichel’s legacy with the NHL’s second-youngest franchise.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Jack Eichel, eight-year deal announced yesterday with the Vegas Golden Knights. They get a massive piece of business done. I’m honestly a little bit surprised that this wasn’t 15 or even 15-and-a-half… I thought this would be well north of 14.

Carter Hutton: To be loved by a fan base… if this goes well after eight years and he wins another Cup, there could be a statue outside T-Mobile arena of Jack Eichel. You’re talking about a generational legacy, and the fact that you’re linked to a great city, a great place where it’s not just about your playing days. It’s like where are you planting your roots that you want to live the rest of your life… so I think there is value with that that’s a little more than just that dollar value.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…