NHL Notebook: Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor sign pricey eight-year extensions

The 2026 free agency pool continued to thin out on Wednesday, as the Vegas Golden Knights signed Jack Eichel to an eight-year, $108 million contract extension, per TSN’s Darren Dreger. Eichel’s new deal carries an average annual value of $13.5 million, keeping the star centreman in Vegas through 2034.

After Connor McDavid inked a two-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers, Eichel was widely considered the next best pending UFA for next summer. Now he’s the latest name off the board of what was originally shaping up to be a stacked free agency pool.

Eichel was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, where he spent the first six years of his career. After his relationship with the team began to fall apart, he was traded to the Golden Knights, where he has played the last four seasons. Now 28, he put up a career-best 94 points last season, with 28 goals and 66 assists. Since 2023, he has served as an alternate captain in Vegas.

Winnipeg Jets extend Kyle Connor

Earlier in the day, the Winnipeg Jets announced their own extension, with Kyle Connor inking an eight-year, $96 million deal, with an AAV of $12 million. The total figure is the highest in franchise history, and Connor will be the highest-paid Jet this season.

The Michigan native has been with Winnipeg since he was drafted 17th overall by the Jets in 2015. Last season, he led the Jets in goals (41), assists (56), and points (97, a career-high). He has also been one of the team’s most important playoff performers, tallying five goals and 17 points in 13 games last postseason.

With the deal, the Jets now have Mark Scheifele, Gabe Vilardi, Neal Pionk, and Connor Hellebuyck locked in long term.

McDavid effect? Not really

When McDavid signed his team-friendly deal earlier this week, some speculated it would pressure other stars across the league to sign for less as well, but it looks like so far that’s not the case. With the rising salary cap, players across the league are still looking to cash in big time.

If you’re keeping track, next season McDavid will make just $500k more than Kyle Connor, and $1 million less than Eichel. Considering McDavid is arguably the best player in the world right now, it really speaks to what an outlier his contract is–and his commitment to winning above anything.