Jack Eichel Could Command Huge Money On Next Extension

The Vegas Golden Knights are walking a financial tightrope. Jack Eichel’s extension could become the most expensive contract extension in franchise history. Frank Seravalli from Bleacher Report didn’t mince words when he dropped this bombshell during his recent insider report. The veteran hockey journalist, who’s broken more stories than a bull in a china shop, warned that Eichel’s upcoming deal could land somewhere north of $15 million annually. That’s not just superstar money. It is stratospheric.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s talk brass tacks here. Eichel’s current eight-year, $80 million contract with Buffalo expires after this season, and he has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1. The Golden Knights have been playing their cards close to the vest, but the clock is ticking louder than a time bomb.

The 28-year-old center just delivered the best season in franchise history, posting 94 points in 77 games at a blistering 1.22 points per game clip. Those aren’t just impressive numbers. They are franchise-altering statistics that put him in elite company with the likes of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Auston Matthews.

“That’s going to be really interesting news to follow because, like Connor McDavid, we’re talking mega money for Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights,” Seravalli said during his report.

The Free Agency Wild Card

Anthony DiMarco from The Daily Faceoff threw another wrench into the works, suggesting that contract negotiations might stall entirely. His assessment was brutally honest: “Eventually something is going to have to give in Vegas.” Losing your franchise centerpiece to the open market after he delivers a career year would be devastating both competitively and emotionally.

Rising Cap Creates Hope

There is light at the end of this financial tunnel, though it might be dim. The NHL salary cap is expected to jump from $95.5 million next season to $104 million in 2026-27, with projections reaching $113.5 million the following year.

That rising tide could lift all boats, making Jack Eichel’s massive extension more palatable from a percentage standpoint. A $15 million deal would represent just 14.4% of a $104 million cap – still substantial, but not historically unprecedented.

The Championship Window

Vegas General Manager Kelly McCrimmon faces an impossible choice. The Golden Knights have built a championship-caliber roster around Eichel, with key pieces like Shea Theodore, Adin Hill, Tomas Hertl, and Mitch Marner locked up long-term. Walking away from Eichel would effectively slam shut their championship window. But paying him could create financial constraints that make it nearly impossible to maintain depth and address other roster needs. It’s the kind of decision that defines careers and franchises.

The Golden Knights have proven themselves masters of salary cap manipulation in the past, finding creative ways to ice competitive rosters despite financial challenges. McCrimmon and his front office will need every trick in the book to make this work.