Jack Eichel's Potential Golden Knights Extension Could Match Biggest NHL Contract

Eichel, 28, is entering the final season of the eight-year, $80 million deal he signed while still playing for the Buffalo Sabres in 2017. Since being traded to Vegas in 2021, he has become the centerpiece of their offense, posting 253 points in 241 total regular-season games, while coming off a 94-point season last year.

Eichel was also part of the Golden Knights' surprising 2023 playoff run that ended with the franchise winning its first Stanley Cup.

Chris Johnston suggested on Friday's episode of "The Chris Johnston Show" that an Eichel extension could reach $13 to $14 million per year on an eight-year term.

“This is based on what I'm hearing a little bit too, and it's that it’s going to probably be in the $13 million to $14 million range,” Johnston said. “That’s the right range to focus on. It seems like both sides are comfortable with an eight-year deal.”

At the high end, such a contract would total $112 million and would match the deal signed by the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl in September 2024 that currently tops the NHL salary charts.

Johnston added that the timing works in Vegas' favor with the salary cap projected to rise. Locking Eichel to an eight-year deal at that value won't look so expensive in a few years.

“We’re only a couple of years from $130 million cap guaranteed,” Johnston said. “At this point, the sense is he'll come in a little bit above Mitch Marner ($12 million per year). I don't know if he gets to the Draisaitl deal, right? That's kind of the range for him.”